
Class HAvSCU- 
Book.Jl.^A*-. 



THE 

DIARY 

OF THE LATE 

GEORGE BUBB DODINGTON, 

BARON OF MELCOMBE REGIS: 
FROM MARCH 8, 1749, TO FEBRUARY 6, 1761 ; 

WITH AN 

APPENDIX, 

CONTAINING 

SOME CURIOUS AND INTERESTING PAPERS, 

WHICH ARE EITHER REFERRED TO, OR ALLUDED TO, IN THE DIARY. 
PUBLISHED 

FROM HIS LORDSHIP'S ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS. 

BY HENRY PENRUDDOCKE WYNDHAM. 



Et tout pour la trippe ! 

Rabelais, Liv. 4. chap. 57. 

And all for quarter day ! 

Diary, page 362. 



FOURTH EDITION. 




LONDON: 

JOHN MURRAY, ALB EMA RLE-STREET. 



1823. 



D/ 1 



THIS BOOK 

IS DEDICATED 

To that man (whenever he may ap- 
pear), who, blessed with a soul superior 
to all lucrative and ambitious views, will 
dare to stand forth the generous advo- 
cate and benevolent protector of the 
public welfare — Who, when in office, 
will make the good of his fellow-subjects 
the sole rule of his administration ; and 
who, when out of office, independent of 
every partial connexion, will steadily 
and uniformly adhere to the same honest 
plan — Who, while in power, will boldly 
oppose all measures, however profitable 
to himself or his friends, that may be 
detrimental to the cause of his country; 
and who, when deprived of power, un- 



Vlil PREFACE. 

Wyndham all my books, and all the late Lord 
Melcombe's political papers, letters, and 
poems, requesting of him not to print or pub- 
lish any of them, but those that are proper to 
be made public, and such only, as may, in 
some degree, do honour to his memory. " 

The latter part of this clause has, hitherto, 
made me hesitate on the propriety of mak- 
ing his Lordship's Diary public; for although 
it may reflect a considerable degree of ho- 
nour on his Lordship's abilities, yet, in 
my opinion, it shows his political conduct 
(however palliated by the ingenuity of his 
own pen), to have been wholly directed by 
the base motives of avarice, vanity, and self- 
ishness. 

What, beside these motives, induced him to 
quit the service of George II. and to prefer 
the protection of Frederick, Prince of Wales, 
to that of his old master? Alas! he could not 
then foresee the black cloud, which was pre- 



PREFACE. IX 

paring to obscure the expected glory of the 
rising sun, and to blast the hopes of all its 
worshippers. 

What, beside these motives, made his Lord- 
ship discontented and miserable while he 
remained in the court of that Prince ? A 
party was, there, quickly combined against 
him, which, unfortunately for Lord Mel- 
combe, was actuated by the same selfish 
principles as he himself was. 

What, besides these motives, tempted him, 
after the death of the Prince of Wales, to 
court the Pelhams with the most abject and 
fawning servility, and, at the same time, in 
secret opposition to his great patroness, the 
Princess Dowager ? 

But all this may be strictly honourable 
within the verge of a court ; and, on this 
account, I could patiently hear his Lordship 
recommend Mr. Ralph as a very honest man, 



Xii PREFACE. 

accurately inscribed on the margin, with his 
own pen, in printing characters. 

From these circumstances I conclude, that 
Lord Melcombe wrote for the public, and 
that he intended his Diary should, in a future 
season, be produced to light : it is also manifest, 
that his Lordship meant it as an apology for 
his political conduct, and that he could not 
write merely for amusement, or solely for his 
own retrospection, or for the private perusal 
only of his heirs. 

The late Mr. Wyndham, through whose 
hands the MS. came to me, was of this 
opinion. 

It seems therefore' that, in publishing this 
Diary, I am certainly fulfilling Lord Mel- 
combe's design, and doing what he antici- 
pated some one or other should do : it is to be 
supposed that, in his opinion, there is nothing 
dishonourable in the Diary, and to his judge- 



PREFACE. Xlll 

merit I am in duty bound to sacrifice my own: 
the prejudices, perhaps, of education have 
instilled in my mind ideas of honour very dif- 
ferent from those of his Lordship, which — 



putavi 



Stultus ego hide nostra similes 

But, notwithstanding, if I thought that any 
part of the Diary would tend to make one 
worthy character unhappy, or cause the 
smallest injury to the common good, I should, 
without hesitation, suppress it : nay, I would 
instantly commit it to the flames, lest it might 
hereafter be productive of those consequences. 

If, on the contrary, by unveiling the mys- 
terious intrigues of a Court, and by exposing 
the latent causes of opposition, the Diary 
teaches us, that both one and the other may 
act from the same interested and corrupt prin- 
ciple ; it may then make us cautiously diffi- 
dent of the motives of either ; and the country 



xvi PREFACE. 

an equal right with myself, to put his owii 
construction upon them. 

Some trifling anecdotes, however, may still 
appear in the present volume, such as the 
disputes of the Dorset family; the Bridge- 
water, and other elections, &c. but these are 
so interwoven and connected with the general 
matter, and so often referred to, that I could 
not, with propriety, reject them, lest the 
whole might, otherwise, seem embarrassed 
and unintelligible. 



THE 

DIARY. 



AN the beginning of this year, I was griev- 1749. 
ously afflicted with the first fit of the gout, 
which, with a fall that strained one leg and 
wounded the other, confined me to my cham- 
ber near three months. 

During my illness, several kind expressions Mar. 8. 
from the Prince towards me, were reported 
to me, and on the 8th of March, his Royal 
Highness ordered the Earl of Middlesex, his 
Master of the Horse, to send Mr. Ralph (whom 
he had often talked to about me) with a mes- 
sage from his Royal Highness, to offer me 
the full return of his favour, and to put the 
principal direction of his affairs into my 
hands. 



t 



ms. I told Mr. Ralph, that I desired the two 
following days to consider of it ; and that he 
should have my answer at twelve o'clock, on 
Saturday the 11th instant. 



11. This day in the morning I wrote to Mr. 

Pelham, desiring him, as I was not able to 
go out, to wait upon the King, and in my 
name humbly to resign, into his Majesty's 
hands, my office of Treasurer of the Navy, 

The same day I gave Mr. Ralph my an- 
swer in writing to the Prince's gracious mes- 
sage, to be delivered to the Earl of Middlesex, 
taking his honour that he would lay it before 
his Royal Highness; which Mr. Ralph per- 
formed, as did also his Lordship. 

The same morning, I received a very civil 
letter from Mr. Pelham, testifying his con- 
cern and surprise at my resolution, and de- 
siring that he might see me, before he de- 
livered my message to the King, and ac- 
quainting me, that he would come to me 
on Monday the ISth in the morning, before 
he went to court, being then just going into 
the country. 



This day early in the morning, Mr. Pel- 1749 * 
ham made me a long visit with much civil- 
ity ; he seemed to wish much that this affair 
might go no farther. I told him that I saw 
the country in so dangerous a condition, and 
found myself so incapable to contribute to its 
relief and so unwelcome to attempt it, that I 
thought it misbecame me any longer to re- 
ceive great emoluments from a country, whose 
service I could not, and if I could, I should 
not be suffered to promote : so I begged him 
to execute my commission to the King ; and 
then we parted. 

He came to me again, about eleven o'clock, 
to let me know that the King accepted my 
resignation very graciously, but expected 
that I would continue to act, till he could fix 
upon a proper successor. I did so, and was 
continued in the office till the 3d of May. 

The Prince was extremely kind to me, and j VLY ic. 
often admitted me to the honour of supping 
with him and the Princess. But on Saturday 
the 15th of July, going to Carleton House, to 
make my compliments before I went to East- 
bury, he ordered me to sup with him, and in- 
B 8 



1719. vited me to spend the day with him, at Kew, 
on the following Tuesday, being the 18th, 
wanting, as he was pleased to say, to talk to 
me about business. 

r 

is. This day I arrived at Kew about eleven 

o'clock. The Prince received me most kindly, 
and told me he desired me to come into his 
service upon any terms, and by any title I 
pleased : that he meant to put the principal 
direction of his affairs into my hands : and 
what he could not do for me in his present 
situation, must be made up to me in futurity. 
All this in a manner so noble and frank, and 
with expressions so full of affection and re- 
gard, that I ought not to remember them 
but as a debt, and to perpetuate my gra- 
titude. This passed before dinner. 

After dinner, he took me into a private 
room, and of himself began to say, that he 
thought I might as well be called Treasurer 
of the Chambers, as any other name: that 
the Earl of Scarborough, his Treasurer, might 
take it ill, if I stood upon the establishment 
with higher appointments than lie did: that 
his Royal Hiffhness'fl destination wa>, that I 



5 



should have 2000/. per ann. That he thought 1749. 
it best to put me upon the establishment at LLY 
the highest salary, only, and that he would 
pay me the rest himself. I humbly desired, 
tjiat I might stand upon the establishment 
without any salary, and that I would take 
what he now designed for me, when he should 
be King, but nothing before. He said, that 
it became me to make him that offer, but it 
did not become him to accept it, consistent 
with his reputation, and therefore it must 
be in present. He then immediately added, 
that we must settle what was to happen in 
reversion, and said, that he thought a Peer- 
age with the management of the House of 
Lords, and the Seals of Secretary of State, for 
the southern province, would be a proper 
station for me, if I approved of it. Per- 
ceiving me to be under much confusion at 
this unexpected offer, and at a loss how to 
express myself; he stopped me, and then 
said, I now promise you on the word and ho- 
nour of a Prince, that, as soon as I come to 
the Crown, I will give yon a Peerage and the 
Seals of the southern province. Upon my 
endeavouring to thank him, he repeated the 
same words, and added (putting back hi^- 



1749. c hair), and I give you leave to kiss my hand 
upon it now, by way of acceptance ; which 
I did accordingly. 

He then continued to say, that he would 
provide for my friends, whom he knew I va- 
lued more than myself: that he promised 
Mr. Furnese, the Treasury: Sir Francis Dash- 
wood, the Treasury of the Navy, or Cofferer : 
Mr. Henley, Solicitor General, and gave me 
leave to tell them so, adding, that he would 
confirm it to them himself. Lord Talbot I 
was to settle with, when I saw him in Dor- 
setshire. We agreed, that he should send for 
me to Cliefden, when he was settled there, 
where the warrant should be ordered, &c. &c. 

Upon the conversation before dinner, I 
had taken the opportunity to beg the Prin- 
cess's protection, who answered me in the 
most obliging manner. 

19 I saw Mr. Furnese and Mr. Ralph at Ham- 

mersmith, to whom I related all that had 
passed, and promised Mr. Ralph, that he 
should be my Secretary, if I lived to have 
the Seals. 



Went to Eastbury. r 1749 - 

J July 20. 

Lord Talbot came over to me at Eastbury. 23. 
I acquainted him with this whole transaction ; 
he promised tc support me to the utmost, and 
to do the Prince all possible service: but 
would accept no reversion. 

Sir Francis Dashwood and his Lady came 13. 
to Eastbury. I informed him also of all 
that had passed. He received, with much 
pleasure, both what related to himself and 
to me. 

Mr. Bance came to Eastbury, whom also Aug. 9. 
I acquainted with all that had passed be- 
tween the Prince and me, and offered him 
my endeavours to procure for him the rever- 
sion of the Ptemittances, or of the Board of 
Trade, if he had a mind to leave the city. 
He received my narrative with much plea- 
sure, and my offers with great kindness and 
affection ; protesting that he had no wish, 
but to remain always my faithful friend and 
servant, and desired, nor would have, nothing. 
But upon my pressing him, he said, that if 
it must be so, he should choose the Remit- 



}1W* tances, and to have the secret and govern- 
Aug. 9. & 

ment of the Bank, as what he thought, would 

render him most useful to his friends; to 

which I agreed, and promised to undertake 

the affair with the Prince. 



Sept. 7. I received the Prince's commands, by the 
Earl of Egmont, to attend him at Cliefden. 

9m Lord Shaftesbury came this morning; I 

opened part of the Prince's scheme to him, 
he seemed pleased and willing to assist ; and 
thought he could answer for Lord Foley, and 
promised to try him. 

II. Returned to Gunnersbury. 

12, 13. Saw Mr. Ralph, and talked with him about 
Lord Egmont's acquainting Cary with the 
whole transaction between him and me. 

14. Went from Gunnersbury to Cliefden. Well 
received by all the family. There were be- 
sides, the Earl of Bute and Lord Chief Justice 
Willes. 

15. Dined with their Royal Highnesses at Park 



Place. Lord Chief Justice went from thence i~^ J - 

jj . Sept. 15, 

to Henley. 



Orders to Mr. Drax, by Lord Egmont, to l6 < 
make out my warrant. Received an account 
that Lord Cobham died on Wednesday the 
13th. 

The Prince and Lord Egmont went to 17. 
Town from Cliefden. The Princess to Kew. 
They returned thither about nine. I met 
them at ten. Lord Bathurst came to Clief- 
den in the morning, and from thence to 
Kew. 

Sir William Stanhope came to Cliefden. 2i. 

At Ashley. Sent an ode to the Princess, 23, 
with a letter, by her command. 

Received an answer from the Princess. 24: 

Heard the hews of the death of Sir Watkin -9 
Williams, by a fall from his horse. 

Kissed the Prince's and Princess's hands, Oct. 1, 
as Treasurer of the Chambers. Supped with 



10 



>749. their Royal Highnesses and Madame de 
Mirepoix, the French Ambassadress. The 
Prince pretty eager about opposition. 

2. Kissed the King's hand at Kensington. 
Was civilly received. Wrote to Lady Mid- 
dlesex about what passed last night. Sent a 
servant to the Grange with a letter to Mr. 
Henley, and wrote to Mr. Waller. 

3. Set out from London. Met an answer 
from Mr. Henley ; not so full as I expected. 
Lay at Sutton, and arrived at Eastbury the 
following day. 

6. Mr. Drax came to Eastbury; he says, 
Lady Middlesex is cunning and silly, and 
warns me against her. 

7. Went to Lord Shaftesbury's, and left him 
very well disposed ; found General Chol- 
mondley there — at my return found Mr. 
Henley, showed him Lord Egmont's letter, 
and my answer, and the heads which I de- 
signed from the Prince. He seemed to ap- 
prove, and promised to promote every thing 
according to my system. 



11 



Mr. Henley went away. 171-9. 

Oct. 8. 

Arrived at Hammersmith. 12. 



Sent a memorial with a letter to the Prince 13. 
— waited on their Royal Highnesses. They 
lay at Kew, and ordered me to attend them 
the next day. 

Came to Kew at two. Walked with the 14 - 
Princess alone till four. Dined and supped 
there. Lords Inchiquin and Bute, Ladies 
Middlesex and Howe, Mr. Breton and I. 

At Leicester House. The Grenvilles pre- **• 
sented for the title of Temple. Supped at 
Carleton House — Their Royal Highnesses, 
Ladies Middlesex, Howe, Madame de Mire- 
poix; Lords Bute and North. 

Went to Cliefden with their Royal High- l6 - 
nesses. Lords Inchiquin and Bathurst met 
us. The Princess talked to me about Lord 
North for a governor to Prince George, which 
I approved of. 

We all went to Ouborn Fair; Prince 20 - 
George in our coach. 



12 



1740. The Princess talked much to me about the 
' Earl of Granville. 

28. We left Cliefden- dined and supped at 

Kew, and left the children there. We came 
to Town about one. 

30. King's birth-day kept. I was at St. James's : 

then at Carleton House : went to dine with 
Sir Samuel Pennant, Lord Mayor, by the 
Prince's command. Nobody at the feast be- 
tween the Lord Chancellor and me. 

$av. 4. Dined and supped at Kew. The Prince 
read to me an answer to my memorial written 
with his own hand. The difference in opinion 
between us is not considerable. The piece is 
astonishingly well drawn. 

12. I dined at Carleton House. The company, 

only the Prince, the Earl of Egmont, and Dr. 
Lee. Our business, the immediate steps to 
be taken upon the demise of the King, more 
particularly with relation to the Civil List. 
His Royal Highness said, he had had three 
methods proposed to him : the first was to let 
the present Ministers settle it, and then part 



13 



with them and the Parliament : the second 1749. 
was, to dismiss four or five of the principals, 
but to vote the Civil List before the Parlia- 
ment was dissolved : the third (which he was 
pleased to say, he thought was my opinion), 
was to dismiss the Parliament immediately, to 
turn all those out whom he did not design to 
continue, and to throw himself upon the coun- 
try, for a new Parliament, and a provision for 
himself and family, which he desired should 
be only a clear annuity of 800,000/. giving 
back the duties to the public, with whatever 
surplus might attend it. The first proposi- 
tion his Royal Highness put out of the ques- 
tion: the second and third, he desired that he 
might be fully satisfied upon, from a full con- 
sideration ; because what was there deter- 
mined, he would unalterably stand by, when 
communicated, and agreed to by the Earl of 
Carlisle, Lord Baltimore, and Lord Chief 
Justice Willes. It was discussed, and we 
were all, at last, of opinion, that the third 
proposition was the greatest, most popular, 
and the best. His Royal Highness came 
heartily into it, gave us his hand, and made 
us take hands with each other to stand by, 
and support it. I undertook to find % or 



14 



1749. 300,000/. to go on with, till a new Parlia- 
Nov 12 

ment could grant the Civil List. 



12. I kissed the Duke's hand. Saw the Earl of 

Carlisle ; he was for the second proposition, 
and for keeping the Prince's destination of 
employments secret, because he was unwill- 
ing the Pelhams should know they were des- 
perate with him : he did not see how the 
House of Lords could be carried on without 
the Earl of Granville. Sir Paul Methuen was 
for the third proposition. 

14. Lord Middlesex and Mr. Ralph came in 
the evening — much talk about bringing the 
Prince's affairs to some regulation. 

15. Dined at Carleton House — The Prince, 
Earls of Carlisle and Egmont, Lord Chief 
Justice Willes, Lord Baltimore, Sir John 
Rushout, Messrs. Gibbon, Lee, Henley, Nu* 
gent, Sir Thomas Bootle and I. Agreed not 
to oppose the Address, unless there should be 
something very strong in it. 

)6. The session of Parliament opened with a 

very modest Speech. The Address, moved 



15 



by Mr. Charles Townshend, and seconded by 1749. 
Sir Danvers Osborne, I thought a very unex- 
ceptionable one, and I did not oppose it. Sir 
John Hynde Cotton did, upon the Peace not 
being complete, as is there said. The Earl of 
Egmont then made a violent and very injudi- 
cious speech against the Address, throwing 
out every thing he could think, or had heard 
of against the Ministry. Lord Baltimore said 
but little on the same side, and so the matter 
dropped, and the Address was voted. I went to 
the Prince before I dined, to give him an ac- 
count of what had passed : he did not seem to 
make much account of it, one way or an- 
other. 

Lady Mary Coke appeared at the King's 17, 
Bench, and obtained leave for lawyers, all 
her relations, and the Earl of Pembroke to 
come to her. Lord Middlesex and Mr. Fur- 
nese came to me in the evening. Much 
serious conversation about the behaviour, in 
and out of Parliament, of the Prince's family, 
and of our situation in it. Agreed that it 
must be altered, or that I could be of no use 
there, and consequently could not stay. Earl 
of Middlesex undertook to talk to the Prince 



16 



1740. about it. I was presented to the Princess 
Amelia, and kissed her hand. 



19. The Princess's birth-day ; but not kept till 
Wednesday, because Queen Caroline died on 
the 20th. The Prince ordered me to signify, 
that he would not meddle with the Westmin- 
ster election. 

20. Mr. Bodens informed me that Mr. Douglas, 
at Lord Robert Bertie's, said, that I solicited 
to come into the Prince's family, agreeing not 
to be at the head; Dr. Lee was at the head. 

22. The Princess's birth-day was kept. Dined 

with the following public Ministers ; Marquis 
de Mirepoix, Comte de Haslang, Mons. le 
General Comte de Lucchesi, Mons. le Ge- 
neral Wall, Mons. le Comte de Fleming, 
Mons. le Comte de Perrou, Mons. l'Abbe de 
Grossa-testa ; Mess, les Chevaliers de Levy, 
de Laurency, de Tessier ; Mons. d'Andrara, 
Mons. d'Abrian, Mons.dc Comte d'Einsiddell, 
Mons. le Baron Kraygill, Mons. de Fioren, 
Lord Tyrawlcy, and Mr. Breton. I went to 
Lord Middlesex, who had been with me in the 
morning, to tell mc that the Prince bad sent 



17 



for him on Sunday, that his Royal Highn^gs t 174 ^ 
seemed much heated, having heard from Lord 
Baltimore, that I was in a great passion at 
what passed in Parliament last Thursday, and 
declared that I would have voted against them, 

if they had divided upon the Address. 

Asked if such behaviour was not intolerable. 
Lord Middlesex assured him, that I talked it 
over to him, in the House, with great calm- 
ness and without the least passion ; that Lord 
Baltimore joined us for a little time, and 
seemed to be of our opinion; that he, Lord 
Middlesex, as well as I, thought that the Ad- 
dress should have gone without opposition, 
and that Lord Egmont's speech was very inju- 
dicious,. &c.; but the Prince seemed of a con- 
trary opinion, and the conversation ended, by 
his directing Lord Middlesex to quiet me. I 
ivent, as I said before, to Lord Middlesex in 
the evening, and we had much talk. Both 
Lord and Lady Middlesex were of opinion, 
that a party was made against me in the 
family, and that it was best to come to an ex- 
planation with the Prince. I supped with 
their Royal Highnesses at Carleton House. 
Lords Bute and Inchiquin, Ladies Middlesex 
and Howe. 

C 



18 



J 7 * 9 ' ^JVas to wait on the Prince, who appointed 
me Friday at twelve o'clock. 



Went to council. The King present. Ten 
thousand seamen voted. Earls of Hallifax 
and Broke sworn Lord Lieutenants of North- 
amptonshire and Warwickshire. 

2*. Earl of Middlesex and Mr. Ralph were with 

me, to acquaint me that the printer and pub- 
lisher of the Remembrancer was taken up for 
his paper of last Saturday the 18th instant, 
but that the messenger used them with un- 
common civility, touched nothing of their 
papers, presses, or effects, and took their 
words for their surrendering themselves the 
next morning. My Lord had been with the 
Prince, who agreed to indemnify them as to 
the expense, but was very averse, that any 
thing should be done to make him at all ap- 
pear in it, which made them very uneasy. 

At half past twelve I went to Carleton 
House, and in a quarter of an hour was call- 
ed in. Sir Thomas Bootle was with the 
Prince. I lis Royal Highness took me into a 
window, and told me that he had sent Mid- 



19 

dlesex to me, about the seizing the printer, 1749* 
&c. What was to be done ? and then, with- ov * ' 
out giving me time to answer, he ran out into 
reasons why nobody that belonged to him 
must appear. I gently let him see that I 
thought otherwise, and insinuated, whether, 
if Mr. Ralph should be taken up, it would 
not be proper that Lord Middlesex and I 
should bail him : he said, by no means, and 
therefore Ralph should be spoken to, that he 
might keep out of the way, &c. At last he 
ordered, that he should go to my house at 
Hammersmith j with which I agreed, think* 
ing that the strongest mark of his protection 
that we could desire. After much talk about 
this and that, and some idle accounts about 
the poll at Covent Garden, he made me sit 
by him, and ran into a long discourse about 
the army, and then about the reduction of in- 
terest, and so let himself into a discourse 
about the necessity of saying something upon 
those things in Parliament, to feel pulse, and 
keep the party together, &c. all which was 
designed as an apology (instead of finding 
fault) to me, for what had passed the begin- 
ning of the session — I took it up, upon his 
mentioning something about talk, and throw- 
C 2 



20 



I74&. mg things out, to expose, &c. and said that I 

JS'ov, 24. iii.ii.il i 

supposed talk might be right, but people 
should consider what talk, and if they had 
anything to say: that perpetually throwing 
out things, which one neither understood nor 
could prove, was, I thought, and always 
should think, exposing one's self, and not the 
person aimed at : that it was for his service, to 
put little things into his power, to be verified 
beyond contradiction ; that he might certain- 
ly know, what dependence was to be had up- 
on those they came from, when they inform- 
ed him of greater matters. Therefore, I 
would furnish him with one instance ; he had 
heard I was in a great passion about the Earl 
of Egmont's behaviour upon the Address : 
luckily for me, I had never spoken to any 
body about it, but to two persons, favourite 
servants of his Royal Highness, and particular 
friends of mine, Lords Middlesex and Balti- 
more; the latter of whom joined us as we 
were talking of it very calmly ; he seemed to 
be of our opinion, and said, he had told Cot- 
ton we should not divide with them: I knew 
that Lord Middlesex had told him how it 
passed, and if hie would give me leave to bring 
Lord Baltimore to him, he would inform hi* 



21 



Rovai Highness that there was not the least n *fc 

. Nov. 24, 

heat among any of us all. (I knew Baltimore 
was the author of this dirty piece of cun- 
ning). That by this, he might see, if he 
pleased, what credit was to be given for the 
future to those, who brought him this piece of 
intelligence. He thanked me, and was very 
gracious, and talked it off as well as he could; 
but in the multiplicity of discourse, owned to 
me that Baltimore had told him, but meant no 
harm, &c. I replied, I had never seen busi- 
ness done in a meeting of a dozen, like that, 
on the fifteenth day, before the session : that 
those meetings were always declaratory, 
though in the shape of deliberation: that 
the first concoction was always between the 
Prince and three or four persons at most : that 
I hoped to have laid my poor opinions before 
him in that manner, with two or three only ; 
that I hoped to have found a friend there, 
especially Lord Middlesex, whom I thought, 
upon all accounts, ought to be at the first 
digestion : that then we should properly lay 
our thoughts jointly before his Royal High- 
ness, or, if we differed, could reason it out 
with one another, and be might judge which 
side to adhere to. But to combat the opi. 



22 

1749. nions he adopted, separately with him, was 
impossible: we could not, we ought not to 
dispute with him, as we did with each other. 



He was a good deal staggered at what I 
said about Lord Middlesex, and said, he 
ought, no doubt, to be of the great meet- 
ing: I said, of both sure, and added some- 
thing much in his favour. I then told him, 
that I found very little disposition to friend- 
ship and cordiality with me, in those whom 
he seemed principally to confide in, &c. He 
said I must not wonder there was a little shy- 
ness at first, there were so many stories, &c. 
&c. I replied, that I hoped he did not think 
I mentioned it by way of complaint, for if it 
were not with relation to his service, I should 
never think of desiring the favour and coun- 
tenance of any one, or of all of those gentle- 
men, as any sort of addition to me : that, as 
he thought it for his service, I already had 
done, though fruitlessly, and would continue 
to do every thing, and go all the way to obtain 
their good-will : that I begged he would ob- 
serve, that in consequence of his service and 
commands, I would cheerfully do this, but 
separate from his service and commands, it 



23 



never could have entered into my ima^ina- 1749. 

i Nov. 24. 

tion to have made court to those gentlemen ; 

because I never could think, nor did I believe 
any body else would, that those gentlemen 
any where, or at any time, could do me any 
honour by admitting me among them. He 
then said, that, to be sure, I was in a situa- 
tion and upon a footing that I ought not to 
make court to any man in England; nobody 
could expect it from me. Having extorted 
this confession, as a mark to remember this 
part of the conversation by, I left it there. 

This is a short recapitulation of a conver- 
sation of full two hours : it contains almost 
every word I said. His Royal Highness talk- 
ed all the rest of the time. 

Lord Middlesex came to me after dinner, 
to whom I communicated the whole ; he was 
much pleased at it, and thinks that all will go 
well in time. I think otherwise, and that 
there is no prospect of doing any good. 

The printer and publisher were set free 
without bail -, only giving their words to ap- 



24 



1749. pear, if sent for by a Secretary of State. 

Nov. 24. ^ t, • J r-*. 

sent the Prince notice of it. 



27. I went to town and polled for Sir George 
Vandeput -, met with a great crowd, but much 
civility. Returned to Hammersmith before 
five. 

28. Proposition in Parliament to reduce all the 
four per cents, to three and a half per cent, for 
seven years certain, and then to three per cent. 
redeemable as before; continuing them for 
one year (which some of them were entitled 
to for notice) at four per cent. A debate, and 
different propositions to me unintelligible (I 
am sure injudicious), by the Earl of Egmont 
and others. 

Dec. i. Mr. Cooke came to know of me what 
assistance from the Prince might be relied 
upon, toward carrying the Westminster elec- 
tion to a scrutiny. I promised to lay the 
affair before his Royal Highness. 

2. I introduced Mr. Cooke to the Prince, who 

assured him the election should be supported. 



25 



Went to Court. 1749. 

Dec. 3. 

Land tax at three shillings in the pound *• 
voted in the Committee much babbling. 

Dr. Sharpe brought me a map and a writ- 5 - 
ten account of the importance of Nova Scotia. 
Lord Middlesex, Messrs. Ralph, Furnese, and 
the Doctor came in the evening, about bring- 
ing a question into Parliament, to defeat any 
claim, which (as is reported) the French have 
made to it. — Nothing determined. Supped at 
Carleton House, Ladies Middlesex and Howe, 
Lords Inchiquin and Bute, and I. 

Received a letter from Mr. Edward Walpole 8. 
about the Prince's consent to his purchasing 
a crown lease in Lancashire, which I laid be- 
fore his Royal Highness, and received his com- 
mands. Westminster poll closed. Scrutiny 
granted, and to begin the 26th instant. 

I went to Mr. Walpole, and told him from 9- 
the Prince, that his Royal Highness had great 
good-will for him personally ; no objection to 
his conduct, thought him a good servant of 
the King's, and doubted not, but that he 



26 



1749. would serve him as well, when he should be 

Dec 9. 

King : that as to the thing, his Royal High- 
ness disliked the precedent ; and, besides that, 
he had measures to keep, and might subject 
himself to the suspicion of having underhand 
dealings with the Court, by too easy com- 
pliances with requests of this nature, which 
was nothing less than giving away, by way of 
act of Parliament, so much of his inheritance: 
that therefore he desired a little time, and Mr. 
Walpole should have his final answer before 
the term for bringing in private bills expired. 
Mr. Walpole confessed the fact to be as the 
Prince had stated it, and assured me, that he 
had no thoughts of attempting it, if his Royal 
Highness refused his consent : that Mr. Pel- 
ham was against it on that account, but, im- 
portuned by him, declared that he could not 
refuse his father's son, but never would be for 
another, of the same sort; and should move 
the King even in this, with much reluctance. 
This Mr. Walpole desired I would acquaint 
the Prince with. 

13. Went to Leicester House, delivered Mr. Wal- 

pole's answer to the Prince, who seemed in a 
disposition to grant his consent in proper time. 



27 



Mr. Cary dined with us, Messrs. Furnese 17 *9. 
and Ralph and Lord Talbot came in the 
afternoon. Much talk about the report car- 
ried to the Prince, that Cary saw the Duke 
privately ; suppose to come from Ranby the 
chirurgeon. Agreed that it must be brought 
to a full eclaircissement. 

At Leicester Llouse, heard that the Earl of 2*. 
Crawford died that morning. 

Went to Kew. Their Royal Highnesses: 26. 
Ladies Middlesex and Howe : Lords Bute, 
Inchiquin and Bathurst: Messrs. Masham, 
Breton, and I : Lady Middlesex complained 
of the Prince. 

At Kew. Mr. Bludworth came. Lady 28. 
Middlesex and I staid together, after the 
company, till half past two, upon the same 
subject. 

Lady Middlesex conversed with me an 29 
hour upon the same subject, after the com- 
pany went to bed. 



Received the Prince's commands to ac- 175 °- 

Jan. 5. 



28 



1750. q Ua i n t Mr. Walpole, that he consented to his 
bill about Garstang in Lancashire, which I 
communicated by letter to Mr. Walpole. 

9 - The Earl of Pembroke died this day sud- 

denly. 

n. Went to Leicester House, to see Jane Grey 

acted by the Prince's children. 

15 - Mr. Walpole's petition read, and a bill or- 

dered to be brought in. 

IG - At the House. In the committee on the 

mutiny bill. I opposed the filling up the 
clause that punishes mutiny and desertion 
with the word, Death — but was not supported. 

19, Debate in the committee upon the mutiny 

bill. Oath of secrecy subjected to the requi- 
sition of the Courts of Justice. 

20 * The Prince's birth-day. The same Mi- 

nisters and foreigners dined with me, as on 
the Princess's birth-day. 

21, Supped at Lord Middlesex's, where I met 






29 



the Prince and Princess, Lady Torrington, 1?5 f- 
Earl of Inchiquin, Lord Bathurst, Mr. Breton, 
Lady Shannon, Miss Rich, and Mr. Masham. 

Debate upon the revision of sentences by a 23. 
court martial : carried, that they be sent back 
by the Commander in Chief — once only. 

'Went to the House. Debate upon a turn- 29. 
pike bill espoused by the Duke of Bedford. 
Fullest house and greatest division of any day 
of the session : after which the House thinned. 

Lord Middlesex, by the Prince's order, Feb. 4. 
showed me a motion to be made the next 
day, for an account of the state of the port of 
Dunkirk, and the papers that had passed on 
that subject. It was agreed, that I should 
wait on the Prince the next day. 

I waited upon his Royal Highness, and told ^>- 
him that I was come to thank him for com- 
municating the motion to me, which was 
more than any of my fellow-servants had con- 
descended to do, since I came into his service. 
He made me a very embarrassed and per- 
plexed answer. I then proceeded to say, that 



30 



1750. x had not been idle, but had been looking in- 
Feb. 5. . 

to several things, in order to form something 

proper to be laid before Parliament. That I 
had long had this particular point of Dun- 
kirk under consideration : was determined to 
be at the expense to know, and to procure 
evidence of the present state of it, but my ac- 
quaintance lay so much out of the mercantile 
way, that I was at a loss how to go about it ; 
that I had pitched upon Mr. Sheriff Jansen, be- 
ing a trader himself, and much conversant in 
trade, as a proper person to inform and assist 
me : that the great fit of sickness he fell into 
had, till now, disabled him from going out, 
and that yesterday was the first time I could 
get him to dinner. That I supposed, that, 
though I was so unfortunate as not to be 
ready, his Royal Highness was well informed 
of all things necessary to make out the charge, 
&c. He said, No; but the throwing it out, 
would make the Ministry feel they had la 
corde an col, and it was an opportunity to 
abuse them, &c. I said that my idea had 
been, to bring something of national weight, 
which I could fix by undeniable evidence 
upon them, and leave it there. That if I 
could have brought this affair up to that 



31 



point, then I had designed to lay it before 
his Royal Highness, with this only remark, 
how far he thought proper to venture the 
consequences with France, in the present con- 
dition of this country. He said, the Tories 
wanted something to be done, and if he did 
not do something, they immediately thought 
he was negociating. I told him also, that I 
had been, for some time, getting such lights 
as I could into the affair of Nova Scotia, that 
I designed to lay it before him, when I had 
brought it to be worthy of his consideration ; 
but it was my misfortune to think, that it was 
necessary to be armed with full proofs and 
conviction of every sort of the charge, before 
we brought it into the House. Upon that 
foot I submitted, that, in case upon this ques- 
tion of Dunkirk, it should come out, that the 
port was left just in the same condition it re- 
mained, under the treaty of Utrecht, without 
any innovation since the war (the Ministry 
not having already enforced a stricter execu- 
tion of that treaty, than ever had been en- 
forced), it would not, I feared, make a very 
strong point against them. He was pleased 
to say, No, to be sure, so long an acquiescence 
would greatly diminish the objection. Upon 



1750. 
Feb. 5. 



32 



1750. these words I left him; and went directly to 

Pur ^ 

the House. In the debate, I argued against 
the inexpediency and dangers (which were 
the objections, set up by the Court, to grant- 
ing these papers), that there could be none, be- 
cause if it appeared that there had been no 
innovations since the war, and that the post 
was in the state it had remained under the 
treaty of Utrecht — though I did not give it 
up, but still did insist we had a right to a 
fuller execution of that treaty confirmed by 
this, and therefore 1 did not give it up. Yet, 
if that appeared to be the case, no danger or 
inconveniency could arise from the motion, 
because I was sure that I, for one, would not, 
and 1 believed that no gentleman, upon that 
account, would move anj r thing, that might 
occasion a rupture with France. 

At the end of the debate, Lord Egmout, 
who made the motion, recapitulated what had 
been said against it. He began, by going out 
of his way, to say, that he must first declare, 
that he was sorry to differ with me ; but did 
not agree, that it would be sufficient to excuse 
the Ministry, if it should appear, as 1 had 
stated it, that things remained at Dunkirk, u 



33 



they were left before the war, &c. &c. I 1750. 
was much surprised at this, considering the 
expressions of his Royal Highness a few hours 
before. We were beat by a very great major- 
ity. This night was published the vilest and 
most rancorous pamphlet against me, that, I 
believe, any ^,ge or country can show; the 
author of it taking, by implication, the cha- 
racter of being in the Prince's service. 

Went to Lord Middlesex with the words 6, 
(as near as I could recollect) written down, 
which I had used in the debate, and which he 
had heard. He agreed to them : I then de- 
sired him to lay them before the Prince (who 
was at Kew, and was to come to see Lady 
Middlesex on her miscarriage), and in my 
name to complain, both of the pamphlet, and 
of the behaviour I met with — which he un- 
dertook. Mr. Ralph and Dr. Sharpe came 
after dinner; much conversation about the 
pamphlet, which Lord Middlesex told me in 
the morning, the Prince had told Lady Mid- 
dlesex (before he went to Kew) was sent him 
in a letter on Friday night : that he was much 
incensed at it ; that he had immediately sent 
to Mr. Nugent, examined him upon it, and 

D 



34 



1750. he had absolutely denied it with detestation 
and abhorrence : that he had questioned the 
Earl of Egmont upon it, who had done the 
same. Mr. Furnese came, who had had 
a conversation with Lord Baltimore of his 
(Lord Baltimore's) own seeking when in wine, 
and renewed when sober; in which that Lord 
declared, that there was a combination of the 
whole family against me ; that they were, as 
he said, in a round Robin ; that I endeavoured 
to govern and supplant them, that they talked 
of me with the utmost inveteracy : that he 
was my friend, but, however, he would keep 
his connexions, &c. We sent Dr. Sharpe 
home, to stay till the Prince went away : who 
returned and brought us that very account, 
which by mistake I have set down before, as 
given to me by Lord Middlesex in the morn- 
ing ; who then informed me that the Prince 
had had the pamphlet sent him in a letter the 
Friday before, and was much incensed at it. 
Lord Middlesex agreed I should see the 
Prince as soon as might be, after I had seen 
him in the morning. The Prince, as well as 
we, suspected that the pamphlet might come 
from the Court, in order to foment and in- 
crease divisions. 



35 



Went to Leicester House, after Lord Mid- H50. 
dlesex had been with me, who confirmed last tB ' ' 
night's account, with the addition that Lord 
Egmont offered his endeavours to find out the 
Author, &c. &c.; that the Prince was sorry 
for what had happened in the House, but as 
Lord Egmont had differed from me with civil- 
ity, he did not seem to lay much stress upon 
it. It being late and public day, I sent in a 
note to the Prince, to know when he would 
honour me with an hour's conversation — he 
appointed me the next day, at seven o'clock, 
at Carleton House. Mr. Herbert presented 
as Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire. 

Saw Mr. Ralph and Mr. Furnese, asked g # 
the latter, if in charging the combination of 
the family against me, I might put it in 
proof, from the conversation between him and 
Lord Baltimore ; but I could not persuade 
him to assent to it. I sent Mr. Ralph to 
Lord Middlesex, to know if I might take 
notice to the Prince, of a circumstance which 
he told me yesterday morning, and which I 
have omitted, which was, that the Prince had 
dropped, that Lord Baltimore had had a con- 
versation with Mr. Furnese, who was very 
D 2 



36 



1750. warm. He sent me word, that he thought 
it would be improper. At six o'clock the 
Prince sent me word, that he was just re- 
turned from Kew, and found that the Princess 
had appointed Comte Flemming and his Lady 
to be at Carleton House at seven, and there- 
fore feared he should not have time to dine 
and see me; but desired I would come the 
next day at seven. 

N. B. Just upon one o'clock this day, two 
very great and very distinct shocks of an 
earthquake were felt in Pall Mall, at the di- 
stance of some seconds. 

9. Went to the House: Mr. Edward Wal- 

pole's Bill passed without opposition. After 
dinner went to Carleton House ; just as I 
came thither, I was followed in by Dr. Lee, 
who brought old Coram with propositions for 
a vagabond hospital. I was told that the 
Prince had asked for me several times ; I was 
immediately called in : I told the Prince, 
that Dr. Lee was in the house, and that I did 
not wish to make him wait : he pretended, 
that he had forgot he had been long ap- 
pointed to bring Coram on that day, but that 



37 

he would go out to him, and that they were 1750. 
to go up to the Princess. I saw that his 
Royal Highness had sent for him on purpose, 
and therefore said, that I had nothing to say 
to him, but what I should be glad that Dr. 
Lee should hear. He went out to them, and 
after a short stay sent them up. He returned 
and began to talk about the earthquake, 
which conversation I continued a little, when 
I asked, if the Doctor was to come down — he 
said, Yes. When the doctor came, I suffered 
the discourse to continue general, to see if he 
meant only to give the Doctor the opportu- 
nity of making a civil visit. But, at last, 
his Royal Highness applying to me, said, he 
thought I had something to say to him : this, 
by the Doctor's not moving, made it plain ; 
and therefore I began by saying, that I should 
not have presumed to ask that favour, yet it 
was a very particular pleasure to me, that he 
was so good as to admit Dr. Lee to be present, 
and to hear what I had to lay before his 
Royal Highness. That I must, in the first 
place, return my most humble thanks for the 
indignation he had expressed against the vile 
and rancorous pamphlet which had been pub- 
lished against me, &c. He said that, as soon 



38 



175 °- as it was sent to him, he saw that it was de- 

Feb. 9. 

signed to personate Mr. Nugent — that he im- 
mediately sent for him, who denied every 
part of it with the utmost abhorrence — that 
Lord Egmont did the same, &c. — -just as 
Lord Middlesex related. I replied, that I 
had never thought so basely of either of them 
as to suspect them : that if I had been so in- 
jurious to either, yet, after so solemn a denial 
before the highest tribunal, their master, their 
Prince, near being their King, every trace, or 
thought of such a suspicion must be for ever 
entirely laid out of the question : but that it 
was evident that the character assumed, was 
of one of the family. Dr. Lee said, he had 
never heard of it, till last Wednesday, and, as 
he detested all things of that nature, had not 
yet seen it, and believed he never should. 
The Prince said, every body was infamously 
abused : he and his father had been often so : 
that it would do me no hurt, &c. I told 
him that I was very unfortunate, if I ex- 
plained myself so ill, as to be thought to com- 
plain of the pamphlet further than as it in- 
jured his service; that I had hitherto, I 
thought, mentioned it only as a ground to 
return him my most humble thanks for his 



39 

generous interposition, without being applied 1750. 
to : but that I now begged to make another EB * 
plain and evident use of it. 

That though it was now beyond question, 
that this libel did not proceed from any of his 
family, yet, it was as much beyond question, 
that the behaviour of many of his family had 
given the author ground to suppose, that the 
assumed character might pass for the real 
one ; and that it was evidently meant, to fix 
the charge of my intrusion into the family, 
and their detestation of me, to create dif- 
ferences if there were none, and to publish 
and inflame them if there were. That to this 
fact, thus plainly proved by the pamphlet, 
I would add another, which I thought very 
unfortunate to myself. That I knew how 
disagreeable it was, to bring gentlemen head 
to head, and that I foresaw, his Royal High- 
ness would not like to admit it. But that I 
could prove (though now I chose to do it by 
reason only, and collateral facts) that there 
was, I did not know what to call it, an opi- 
nion, a resolution among the gentlemen his 
servants and followers (excepting Dr. Lee, 
whom they nominally excepted) to look upon 



40 



1750. me as an improper and unprofitable servant, 
and would not unite or communicate with 
me. That I knew this to be true, and looked 
upon it as a great misfortune to me ; because, 
though it did not become me to say before 
his Royal Highness how I came into his fa- 
mily, yet I certainly embraced, with the ut- 
most pleasure, the opportunity of belonging, 
as a servant, to a Prince, whom of all man- 
kind I should have wished to have passed my 
life with, if his misfortune and the misfor- 
tune of the public had placed him in a private 
station. That the disappointment of so flat- 
tering a view was the more sensible, because 
I was sure, it must arise from some fault, and 
that no small fault ; because, after what had 
so lately passed at the other end of the Mall 
(St. James's) and the lively sense his Royal 
Highness had expressed of it, I could not, 
and did not imagine, that any man, or body 
of men, would be hardy enough to combine, 
to prescribe to him whom he should employ, 
to what degree, or in what manner. This, as I 
knew it would, fired him, and though till this 
he had kept the most profound silence, he now 
interrupted me, and said, nobody should pre- 
tend to do that by him 5 that he alloued, 



41 



sometimes, one, and sometimes another, to 1750. 
lay their opinions before him, but nobody Feb ' 9 ' 
presumed to direct him, and appealed to Dr. 
Lee, if any one treated him in that manner, 
&c. &c. I replied that I had said so, and un- 
derstood it so, and that made this treatment 
the more sensible, because I was sure it must 
proceed from some fault of mine, which I 
begged to be acquainted with, for it plainly 
appeared that the dislike to me was real. 

That I must now proceed to another thing, 
which I once thought a most certain fact, but 
which I had since found was grounded on a 
mistake; that I was about to say, that his 
Royal Highness a little contributed to lead 
me into that mistake, by telling me, when he 
was most graciously pleased to command my 
services, that all his family, as well as himself, 
were desirous of it. That I had heard the 
same, indeed, on all hands, and some of the 
most considerable had themselves, long, often, 
and with great zeal assured me of their warm- 
est desires, and had even taken credit to 
themselves, for having earnestly pressed his 
Royal Highness to call me to that honour, 
which they now thought me so unworthy of. 



42 



1750. 
Feb. 9. 



That, therefore, I begged they might be 
asked, fairly and openly, what was the reason 
of so total an alteration, as well as so sudden 
a one : for I had thought, that I perceived a 
difference, even before we came to town, the 
last time from Cliefden. That, as to arro- 
gance and sufficiency, and design to govern 
his Royal Highness and them, which I sup- 
posed had been plentifully inculcated ; I 
begged (and I was glad to do it before the 
Doctor) he would be pleased to declare first 
as to himself, if I had fatigued him with au- 
diences, or had laid hold of the many other 
opportunities I had, to obtrude my own 
thoughts upon him, or to know his ; to com- 
plain to him, that he did not communicate 
what he was doing to me, and take my opi- 
nions, or to presume to expostulate with him, 
or blame what he had done for not communi- 
cating with me. He said, No indeed, but 
twice, as he remembered — once, was about a 
paper I had drawn to lay before him, and the 
other time, when the printer of the Remem- 
brancer was taken up. I put him in mind, 
that at that time, I mentioned to him the al- 
teration I observed in his servants, which was 
so long ago as last November. I then asked 



43 



if, in the many leisure hours of private life, I 1750. 
had ever spoken ill of any one of them, or so 
much as complained, or endeavoured to lessen 
or depreciate them or their performances. 
He said, No : but to be sure I did not express 
any partiality to schemes which I did not ap- 
prove of — (but he did not answer so fully and 
fairly upon this head, as the truth is). I then 
said, I would not desire his Royal Highness to 
declare if those gentlemen had treated me 
with the same fairness — as I was sure he 
would answer that to himself. As to the go- 
verning them, did I ever interfere with them ? 
they formed their own business, their papers, 
their own motions, without the least commu- 
nication with, or complaint from me : that I 
was sorry for it, as they made me a useless 
servant to him in Parliament ; for that it was 
impossible for me to go thither, and follow 
their motions at sight and at hearing, and 
then to be disowned for my pains. He 
laughed, and said, it was because they had 
nothing to communicate; they had done 
nothing that he knew of. The mutiny bill 
was an agreed point by all, and they had had 
nothing else. That as to the Dunkirk mo- 
tion, he protested it was a thought of his own, 



44 



1750. 
Feb. 9. 



that Dr. Lee knew nothing of it, even when 
he sent it to me by Lord Middlesex. I re- 
plied, that, in a conversation, the grounds of 
which were my misfortune in being rendered 
useless to a master, whose unmerited goodness 
and favour were my sole ambition and reli- 
ance, it was impossible that I could change 
them so grossly, as to be brought to com- 
plain or to suffer him for a single moment to 
think, that I did complain of him. That I 
received the communication he had honoured 
me with, as a mark of his favour, with much 
respect: that what I spoke of was the non- 
communication, and disavowal of the rest of 
his servants, both in the mutiny bill and on 
another occasion. He said, that as to punish- 
ing mutiny with death, he must own to me 
that he, as well as they, differed from me, and 
had accordingly acted last year : and that 
Lords Carlisle and Bathurst had differed with 
Lord Bath upon that clause ; for which he 
appealed to Dr. Lee, who said he was con- 
fined by illness (as was I) from coming to the 
House. As to what happened upon the mo- 
tion, he was sorry for it, but thought it was of 
no great importance. I said, with some 
warmth, that I thought it was of the highest 



45 



importance to him: was it to pass for his 1750. 
sense, was he to appear in the light of de- EB * 9 " 
daring, that he would, if he were now King, 
or would force his father, to begin a new 
broil with France, at this time, in these cir- 
cumstances of this country, because fifteen 
months after such a war ended by such a 
peace, France had not carried the demolition 
of Dunkirk, farther than it had been carried 
for thirty-two years last past ? Was this a 
point to be maintained ? Was it a doctrine 
fit for him to appear as the promoter of ? I 
thought it was not; it was imprudent, it 
could not be supported, and, above all, most 
prejudicial to his service, to have it thought 
he gave ear to such rash counsels : besides, 
that his Royal Highness had agreed with me, 
the last thing he said to me that very morn- 
ing, that in the above-mentioned case, if it 
came out only so, the long acquiescence much 
lessened, if it did not take away the objection. 
I begged pardon for being warm about the 
consequence of the doctrine, because that was 
not the use I intended to make of it ; what I 
meant to establish by it, was, to prove a 
settled resolution in his family, that they 
would have nothing to do with me, for when 



46 



H50. m>. Pitt, who answered Lord Egremont, came 
Fee. 9. ° 7 

to that part, he pressed his argument thus : 

" If it should come out, that there is no inno- 
vation, as I verily believe the truth is, and 
that it is, as it was left by the treaty of Utrecht, 
explained in 1717 5 will any man say that it is 
a crime in the Ministry, or a reason to quarrel 
with France ? will any gentleman say it ? does 
any one say it ?" To this his Lordship made 
no reply in affirmation of what he had laid 
down in contradiction to me, which proves to 
a demonstration, that he went out of his way, 
in concert with those in conjunction with him, 
to show the world by a public disavowal, 
that they disclaimed all concert and connex- 
ion with me : whether that was for his ser- 
vice, he best knew. I begged to be understood, 
that, in all I had said, my concern was only 
in relation to his service ; if he was satisfied, I 
was. I desired to govern nobody, to sup- 
plant nobody : but that I could not follow his 
family in public, in whatever they pleased to 
start ' y that in things I was not consulted 
about, where my advice and opinion was 
neither taken, nor even asked, I could not go 
down and appear to approve and support; 
that I was sorry it rendered my services use- 



47 

less to him in the House of Commons, but I J 750 - 

Feb. 9. 
could not put myself upon that footing : he 

said, to be sure it was not to be expected from 
me, or to that effect. I replied, that was very 
well ; I was perfectly satisfied, if he was. I 
then began to put him in mind, that I had not 
been idle; that I had thought both of the 
point of Dunkirk, and of Nova Scotia ; and 
had looked into several things, that might be 
introductive to the public accounts; and had, 
above a month ago, hinted something of it to 
Dr. Lee, and told him that I hoped for his 
assistance. [This the Doctor readily con- 
firmed.] That it might go far, and affect 
several families ; whether his Royal Highness 
would care to go so far, he would be the best 
judge. That when I had thought upon any 
point in which I could see day-light, after I 
had digested it a little, I chose to lay it before 
a friend or two in the first place ; if then we 
liked it, and could give it a body, we should 
then lay it before his Royal Highness for his 
approbation : if it met with that, then, and 
not till then, I should think of communicating 
it to those, who were chiefly to assist in the 
execution of it. That this might be govern- 
ing, for aught I knew ; but that this was the 



48 



F °g wa y °^ doing business which I had learnt, 
and indeed, that I had never known any 
other practised. 

They both laughed and said, to be sure 
it was not governing, and was the only way 
of transacting business. I replied, it was the 
only way I knew, and it might be governing ; 
but if it was, his Royal Highness would please 
to observe, that I had not done even that, yet. 
I then observed to him, how extremely hard 
it was for a minority, to bring any consider- 
able, national abuse into absolute undeniable 
proof, all the offices and documents being in 
the hands of the Court; and I desired him to 
look back through all the oppositions for 
forty years past, saying, that I could recollect 
but one, that was brought home and fixed 
upon the Ministry, which was this very point 
of Dunkirk : and this his Royal Highness 
readily agreed to. 

This, to the best of my memory, was the 
most, if not all the material part that passed. 
The conversation became general for a time, 
and then his Royal Highness called for a 
chair, and left Dr. Lee and me together. 



49 

When we were alone, I told the Doctor 1750. 
that I knew there was a combination against 
me; that I could prove it, and they knew I 
could prove it : but that since I had had an 
opportunity of explaining myself fully to his 
Royal Highness, in the presence of so good a 
witness as himself, I was entirely indifferent 
as to the event. The Doctor assured me, in 
a seeming friendly and warm manner, that he 
should always be glad to act with me, in every 
thing that might be for the service of the 
Prince, and the ultility of the country. I 
thanked him properly, and desired him to 
remember, that I had desired, and even in- 
sisted with, the Prince, to declare if ever, or 
at any time, or in what, I had ever attempted 
to govern him, or complained that I did not; 
adding, that possibly I might have had such 
an idea, might have attempted it, might have 
miscarried, and been reprimanded for it, and 
might have grown wiser: but if I had done it 
at all, I should scarcely have challenged the 
Prince, before him, to declare it. The next 
thing I begged him to remember was, that I 
had fully apprised the Prince, that in what I 
was not consulted about and advised with, I 
would have nothing to do with in Parliament, 

E 



50 



1750. and that I would not go down thither upon 
Feb. 9. tnat f 00 ti n g 5 and so we parted. 

I desired Mr. Ralph, whom I found at my 
house, to go to Mr. Furnese's immediately, 
and from thence send to Lord Middlesex for 
leave to wait upon him with an account of 
this whole transaction. 

n. I saw Lord Middlesex for a moment before 

I went to court. He told me that the Prince 
came to his house directly from me on Friday 
night. That he was very thoughtful, and 
endeavoured to shake it off, but could not ; 
so that any one might see, that something lay 
heavy upon his mind, which he could not get 
quit of. That Mr. Ralph had acquainted 
him with what had passed, and that, last 
night, the Prince and Princess came to Lady 
Middlesex, who had not been out since her 
miscarriage, and staid late. That, then, it 
came all out. That according to Mr. Ralph's 
relation, the Prince said but little: but ac- 
cording to his own, his Royal Highness made 
himself a great speaker. That he had con- 
vinced me about the mutiny bill. That I 
mentioned a combination to govern him, but 



51 



that nobody durst enter into such a combina- 1750. 
tion. That I did not say there was such a ■ Feb ' 1 
thing, or he would not have suffered me to go 
on : and then, what he would do to those, 
who should presume to enter into such a 
thing ! — in short, he seemed to laugh it off, 
and that now all things would go well again, 
&c. But he again mentioned the conversa- 
tion between Mr. Furnese and Lord Baltimore 
of last Tuesday. Lord Baltimore contrived to 
see him as soon as he came from Kew, and 
before he went to Lord Middlesex's, and re- 
presented that conversation, as pressed upon 
him by Mr. Furnese, at my request, and that 
he had talked very high of me, if not from 
me ; and that I complained that he (his 
Royal Highness) begged and pressed me to 
come into his service, for that he could not 
do without me, &c. &c. I asked if I might 
make use of this overture to have the matter 
explained. He said, he was afraid not, it be- 
ing said in confidence. I then asked, that in 
case Mr. Furnese would tell him the whole 
conversation, if he would relate it to the 
Prince fully and fairly, and fix the lie where 
it belonged. He said, he could do that very 
well, by telling the Prince, that he was much 
E 2 



52 



1750. surprised, when he first heard him mention 
Feb. 11. t | mt conversa tion, but more so, to find that he 
mentioned it again ; and therefore had con- 
trived, in talking together, to draw out of Mr. 
Furnese, the particular account of it, which 
he would tell him literally, and beg, that, for 
his farther satisfaction, he would send for Mr. 
Furnese to give him an account of it, who, he 
was sure, was a man of honour, and would 
tell him the whole truth. I went to Leicester 
house, and was very well received. Sent to 
Mr. Furnese to see him to-morrow. 

12. Mr. Furnese came : I read to him what 

passed on Friday, and told him what Lord 
Middlesex had heard from the Prince again, 
about the turn which Lord Baltimore had 
given to the conversation between them ; — 
which he again declared to be most false, and 
that he was ready to declare it to the Prince, 
if his Royal Highness was pleased to send for 
him. Intelligence from H. V. of the very 
great dissensions between the Ministers. 

13# Saw Lord Middlesex. We agreed that he 

should (as indeed it was hardly to be avoided) 
take up this matter again with the Prince, 



53 



and tell him that I had given him an account 1750. 
of it. That I was most grateful for his grace Eh ' l ' 
and condescension, in giving me so full and 
patient an audience — that, I hoped, I had not 
behaved improperly. That upon the whole, 
though he was my friend, yet he thought the 
Prince should, for his future quiet, go to the 
bottom of this affair. Every one had their 
faults — I might be vain — I might be high — 
and yet mean very well, and be made very 
useful. He did not mean to push things to 
extremities. If I had pressed indecently up- 
on his Royal Highness, or into his affairs, 
where I was not called : though it was true, 
that I had not intruded into his family, yet, if 
I had talked impertinently and vainly about 
it, of being begged and prayed, and that his 
Royal Highness could not do without me — 
why, it was no heinous fault, but he thought 
I should be gently made to feel the impro- 
priety of such a behaviour, by a word from 
his Royal Highness, or from him in his name. 
But it imported his Highness to be sure the 
charge was true, and to give me an oppor- 
tunity of justifying myself; otherwise, the 
party was not equal, his Royal Highness hav- 
ing heard but one side. If, on the contrary, 



54 



1750. it should turn out false; was it not highly 
Feb. 13. necessar y 5 fa^ \ ie should know, what sort of 
people he had about him ? That conversa- 
tion, for instance, which his Royal Highness 
had twice mentioned, and of which he had 
great doubts in his mind, was not justly repre- 
sented to his Royal Highness; would his 
Royal Highness give him leave to tell me of 
it, that I might go to the bottom of it? or 
(what would be better) would he send for Mr. 
Furnese, and let him give a full account of it, 
without ever mentioning to any body, that he 
had been questioned by his Royal Highness. 
This the Prince might keep in his own breast, 
and not let it go any farther. His (Lord Mid- 
dlesex's) intention not being to go to any ex- 
tremity, but only that his Royal Highness 
might know the persons he employed; and 
not reject any one for a few faults, that might 
be useful in many things ; nor trust, without 
reserve, any person, who, though useful in 
some things, and fit to be employed, may be 
dangerous in others, and should cautiously be 
guarded against. That he should tell his 
Royal Highness that I complained, that after 
having sat down quiet under a falsehood 
which Lord Egmont laid to my charge, of 



55 



telling Cary what passed between his Royal 1750. 
Highness and me, at Kew, when he took me EB * 
into his service (which I could prove, even by 
Cary himself, who was told it by Lord Eg- 
mont) — after having acquiesced so long under 
that imputation, rather than hurt that Lord, 
or occasion any, the least disquiet, in the 
family, that I did not expect such a return. 
These points, Lord Middlesex agrees, are 
right, and he will undertake them. 

At Leicester House, but went away before 14 
the Princess came out. After dinner, I went 
to see Dr. Lee, who received me with much 
apparent openness. We talked much about 
what the Prince's conduct ought to be, in 
case, under their present undoubted quarrels 
and disunion, either part of the Administra- 
tion should apply to him for assistance. The 
conversation was begun by him, and we, both, 
agreed that, unless they would restore the 
King to his family by a thorough reconcilia- 
tion; and to his People, by some popular 
acts, the Prince should not engage with any 
of them. And we neither thought them 
honest nor able enough to bring about such 



56 



1750. great events, and we agreed in wishing, that 



Feb. H 



no such application would be made. 



25. Mr. Henley was with me, who did not 

think Mr. Lascelles's Privy Seal sufficient for 
a separate point: he asked me how things 
went ; I told him, but indifferently. That I 
had no communication with the other gentle- 
men in our family, and that they were united 
against me — he treated them very slightly, 
and said that indeed he had had offers enough 
to be of their meetings, but had declined 
them, not thinking himself little enough to 
follow any body there — that they generally 
showed him their motions either in the house 
or elsewhere. I said, even that did not hap- 
pen to me ; that, therefore, I was determined 
not to meddle with any thing, where my opi- 
nion was neither asked nor taken. That if 
the Prince liked their method of proceeding, 
I was perfectly satisfied : but I would not put 
myself upon that foot in public. That I 
would do every thing in my power, spare no 
expense, no complaisance, nor cheerful con- 
currence in all his pleasures, to make myself 
an agreeable servant, as long as I had the 



57 



honour to belong to him; but that, in his 1750. 
public business I would never intrude myself; 
and that it was impossible for me to follow 
those gentlemen, though I did not, in the 
least, desire to govern them : this, as well as 
I can remember, was all material that I said. 
He said much more of them, blaming them 
without reserve for their self-sufficiency, &c. 
that they were informed of nothing at bottom, 
but dealt only in invectives, and in that not 
very well : perpetual imputation and suspicion, 
without being able to make out any thing, 
which would, if encouraged, make all govern- 
ment impracticable. He was displeased with 
Dr. Lee, for not telling him, that he was to 
have the seals, as our Chancellor, if Sir T. 
Bootle had died. Said that Lord Baltimore 
forced him to ask the Prince for them, who 
told him that he most sincerely wished to 
oblige him, but that he had promised Dr. Lee, 
in case of accidents, to give him the seals, and 
that Lord Baltimore was present, when the 
promise was made — which usage he took very 
ill (and I think justly) of Baltimore, who, 
when he pressed him to ask for the seals, had 
assured him that he knew the Prince would 
gladly grant them to him — with much more 



58 



1750. of this sort. I went to Leicester House, where 
' was Mr. Henley. Lord Egmont came and 
immediately took Mr. Henley into a private 
room, where they had a conversation of near 
an hour. This surprised me much. In the 
afternoon I met their Royal Highnesses by 
order at Lady Middlesex's, where came Ma- 
dame de Munchausen and Mr. Breton: we 
went in our own coaches to a fortune-teller's, 
who was young Des Noyers, disguised and in- 
structed to surprise Madame de Munchausen, 
which he effectually did. I had some talk 
with Lady Middlesex, who was very dejected 
and full of complaints at the encouragement 
the party met with, that was united against 
us. From the fortune-teller's we went to sup- 
per at Carleton House. 

26. Lords Bute, Inchiquin, and Bathurst, 
Messrs. Mash am, Breton, and I, followed 
their Royal Highnesses, Ladies Middlesex 
and Howe, to dinner at Kew. Mr. Blud- 
worth was with us. 

27. Worked in the new walk at Kew. 

28. All of us, men, women, and children, work- 
ed at the same place — a cold dinner. 



39 



Went to meet Sir Francis Dash wood, Lord 1750, 
Middlesex, and Mr. Furnese, at Mr. Ralph's: Mar ' 4 ' 
we went through several points of business, 
and determined to proceed. 

The election for the county of Middlesex. 8. 
Sir Francis Dash wood, Messrs. Furnese, Bre- 
ton, and I went in Sir Francis's coach, at eight 
o'clock, to Mr. Cooke's in Lincoln's Inn 
Fields — A great meeting there — We set out 
with him about nine (my coach following), 
and went through Knightsbridge, Kensington, 
by the gravel-pits to Acton, and from thence 
to Stanwell Heath, which was the general 
rendezvous. From thence to Brentford Butts, 
which was the place of poll. It began about 
one. I polled early and got to my coach, 
which was so wedged in, that, after much 
delay, I found it impossible to make use of it; 
so that Mr. Breton and I were forced to take 
two of my servants' horses, with livery hous- 
ings, and ride, without boots, ten miles to 
Lord Middlesex's at Walton, to meet their 
Royal Highnesses at dinner. We got thither 
by five o'clock, and found them attended by 
Lord Inchiquin and Mr. Bludworth in the 
park. Dined at six. My coach did not ar- 



60 

1750. rive till nine. We all came away between 
AR ' ' ten and eleven — arrived in town about one. 
Poll for Mr. Cooke 1617 — for Honywood 
1201. We carried it by 416. 

9. Went to the House, where it was agreed to 

augment the salary of the Master of the Rolls, 
and it was resolved that the augmentation 
should be 1200/. per ann. Yesterday, at three 
quarters after five in the morning exactly, was 
a violent shock of an earthquake. 

18. I had much talk with Lady Middlesex, and 

we agreed in opinion as to the disagreeable- 
ness and impropriety of our situation, but that 
we must go on this summer, as well as we 
can. 

Apr. n. Council at St. James's — King present — 
Regency named — We all kissed hands and 
took leave. 

12. Went to the House of Lords. The King 

spoke, and prorogued the Parliament. 

16> The King went to Harwich. The wind 

changed to N. E. 



61 



Mr. Drax, who was ill of the gout, sent to mo. 

Apr 22 

desire to speak to me. I went, and he told 
me, that petitions had been obtained from the 
miners in Cornwall, for the holding a tin par- 
liament. That they were referred to the 
Prince's privy council, who had rejected them, 
under a persuasion that there was a job at 
bottom. That the Prince was so far in it, 
that, notwithstanding the disapprobation of 
his council, he had ordered a privy seal to be 
made out, to the Lord Warden of the Stan- 
neries, to call and hold a parliament on or be- 
fore the second of November. 

That the nature of the Prince's revenue 
upon tin, was as follows — All tin, which is 
raised throughout the duchy of Cornwall, 
must be brought to the Prince's smelting- 
house, and when smelted, pays four shillings 
for every hundred weight (which is lQOlb.). 
Then, when made into pigs, it goes to the 
coinage, which is only a stamp, with the 
Prince's arms ; and then, and not before, it is 
marketable. 

Besides this duty of four shillings per hun- 
dred weight throughout the duchy, no tin 



62 



1750. can be disposed of, till the Duke has taken the 
PR * 22 ' quantity he pleases. This is called the pre- 
emption. This preemption has never been 
exercised by Princes, and seldom leased out. 
Once it was undertaken by Queen Anne, and 
Lord Treasurer Godolphin, and Mr. Boscawen 
(afterward Viscount Falmouth) on the other 
part : by which, for the present exigence, the 
Crown got the power in several boroughs, 
though they lost by the undertaking, which 
was occasioned by the war. This lease was 
again renewed by the succeeding administra- 
tion, but I believe it was not carried into exe- 
cution. The lease must be granted by an act 
of the parliament of the tinners, which parlia- 
ment is called and held by a privy seal to the 
lord warden for that purpose. 

The duchy is divided into four districts, 
each of which sends six members. The 
voters must be freeholders. They choose a 
speaker, &c. 

The quantity of tin raised annually, at an 
average of many years past, is 2200 tons : the 
market price to the exporter from 4/. 5s. to 
4/. 10.9. per hundred weight; so that the 



63 



Prince's revenue upon that head amounts to mo. 

Apr 22 

about 8800/. per ann. clear of all deductions, 
as there are other small duties that defray the 
charge of officers, collection, &c. N. B. The 
consumption is much less, and the freight 
dearer in time of war; but then, as the com- 
modity is necessary, the vent is proportion- 
ably increased, the first years of peace. 

Last year, the two companies of mine ad- 
venturers, and mine battery, both petitioned 
the Prince for the lease of this preemption, the 
petitions were referred to his privy council 
and rejected. They offered his Royal High- 
ness an advance on his revenue of 1200/. per 
ann. and a loan of 10,000/. at 5 per cent, with- 
out ensuring his life, which he is obliged to do, 
at 5 per cent, additional, on all he borrows. 

This not succeeding, a petition has lately 
been obtained from the tinners, praying for a 
parliament, which was, as I have said, reject- 
ed by the council -, who supposed it was meant 
to procure a lease, for the advantage of those 
who were at the bottom of the former offers, 
which were so very disproportionate, that 
nothing but gross imposition could be expect- 



64 



1750. e( l from that quarter. The persons concerned, 
Apr. 22. were supposed, by Mr. Drax, to be Mr. Tho- 
mas Pitt and Dr. Ayscough. 

To show the impropriety of the proceed- 
ing, and the danger of the job, Mr. Drax ob- 
served that this parliament, though it could 
do no act without the Prince's assent, yet it 
might come to several resolutions, which 
might be disagreeable to submit to, and yet 
inconvenient to break through. He then pro- 
ceeded to state the advantages of the lease of 
preemption, which, from what he apprehends, 
the Prince is not properly apprised of. 

The offer, last year, he stated at an advance 
of l r /Q0l.per ann. — 1200/. annually, and the 
loan of 10,000/. at 5 per cent, at 500/. per 
ann. because the Prince must pay 5 per cent, 
additional elsewhere, for ensuring his life. 

He said, that he is well assured, that the 
tinners are ready to agree, and contractors to 
engage, to take all the tin that shall be coined 
at 31. 5s. per hundred weight, and to avoid the 
clamour of a monopoly, they will oblige them- 
selves to sell it at 4/. 5s. which is below the 



65 



market price. The gross gain, then, of 17. 1750. 

• Apr 22 

per hundred weight, upon 2200 tons, is, per 

ann. «£. 44,000 

The money to be employed 
for 2200 tons, at 3L 5s. per ton, 
is 143,000/. and supposing 
half this sum always employed 
at credit, you must deduct for 
interest 2860 

Charges of management, 
freight, &c 3000 

There then remains against 
risk and accidents a clear and 
net profit, per ann 38,140 

These calculations, he said, were right : he 
does not know what is at the bottom of this, 
nor what offers have or will be made $ but by 
what has passed, he is very suspicious, and ear- 
nestly desired me to dissuade his Royal High- 
ness, if possible, from it ; though he knew it 
would be very difficult, because he was sure, 
they lured him to it by showing to him new 
acquisitions in the Cornish elections. 

We went to Kew for the whole week. 30. 
F 



66 



1750. Their Royal Highnesses, Ladies Middlesex 
ApR - 50 - and Howe; Lords Bute and Inchiquin; 
Messrs. Masham, Breton, and I. We had 
plays acted every evening. 

May 13. About eleven o'clock, the Prince sent to 
me to come to Leicester House as soon a& I 
could. I arrived there in half an hour's time. 
I found the Groom in waiting, and the Bishop 
of Oxford. The Prince soon joined us, and 
said that the Princess had been ill since three 
in the morning; by this time the Duke of 
Chandois, and Lords Egmont and North, 
Messrs. Cust and Breton, were come. We 
went into the bed-chamber at three- 
quarters after eleven. The Grooms with- 
drew. We found in the bed-chamber Ladies 
Middlesex, Berkely, Irwin, and Howe; Lady 
Bailey, Mrs. Cornwall and Payne. The mid- 
wife upon the bed with the Princess, and Dr. 
Wilmot standing by. 

Just at half past twelve, she was delivered 
of a Prince, without once complaining or 
groaning the whole time. Then the Prince, 
the Ladies, and some of us sat down to break- 
fast in the next room — then went to prayers 



m 

below stairs. The Prince wrote to the King, 1750. 
and the Duke of Bedford came for the letter. May13 ' 
A numerous drawing-room, where appeared 
all the Ministers and persons in the chief em- 
ployments. The ministers were not sent for 
to the labour. The Prince put off the public 
dinner and servants in waiting, and ordered 
me to dine with him in private at Carleton 
House. 

The Prince's public table (which lasts about 16, 
ten days on account of the Princess's lying-in) 
began on Monday. 

I went to town, and spent three hours in 23. 
examining the tin affair, which appears to be 
a scandalous job, and I am determined to go 
to the bottom of it. Waited on the Duke of 
Dorset about Prince Henry's bathing in the 
sea, at Walmer Castle. 

I settled with the Duke of Dorset, that 2 5. 
Prince Henry should not go to Walmer, as it 
was a garrison, and as the King's leave was to 
be asked. 

Had a conversation with Mr. Drake about 28. 
the tin. 

F2 



68 



1750. Went to Leicester House. The Arch- 
ive 30. bishop and Chancellor sent for, to settle the 
christening of the young Prince, the King 
having sent no orders from Hanover, though 
applied to; Lord Middlesex, Messrs. Fur- 
nese, Bance, and Drake met at my house, to 
consult farther about the tin affair. 

June l. Messrs. Kelsal and Lovel came to me. 
Lovel says that the miner brings, what is 
called, black tin to the smelting-house, and 
delivers it by weight, and receives so much 
white tin at the coinage (which is quarterly) 
and takes a tin bill for it (if he is poor) as the 
bill is marketable. He promised to inform 
himself farther. 

8, The Princess saw company from seven till 

nine o'clock, for the first time, and once only. 
The family went in, before any of the com- 
pany were admitted. 

H. Mr. Aldworth came from the Duke of 

Bedford, with dispatches from Hanover, sig- 
nifying the King's approbation that Prince 
George, Lady Augusta, and a brother of the 
Princess should be sponsors for the young 
Prince. Bishop of Oxford sent for. 



69 



Went to Leicester House. The child was 1750. 
christened by the Bishop of Oxford. The JuNE 17 « 
sponsors as above. Prince George gave the 
name, which was Frederick William. No- 
body of either sex was admitted into the 
room but the actual servants, except the Lord 
Chief Justice Willes and Sir Luke Schaub. 

Lord Middlesex and Mr. Drake were with is, 
me; we had much talk about the Prince's 
tin, and the scandalous transaction about it, 
which was encouraged by some of his ser- 
vants. Drake thinks a vast profit may arise 
from farming it, both to the Prince and to the 
farmer, who would give him 200,000 /. by way 
of fine. I think little or nothing can be given 
or got : but to get rid of Drake, and please 
Lord Middlesex, who seemed to lean a little 
towards him, I left it thus — That if any credit- 
able man or body of men, would take the best 
lease the Prince can give of his tin, reserving 
to his Royal Highness his four shillings per 
hundred weight (120/6.), to be raised and col- 
lected with the same dignity and royal prero- 
gative, as it now is : oblige themselves to pay 
to the miner, or owner, SI. 5 s. per 100, at 
112 weight: bind themselves never to raise 



70 

1750. the price of tin above three shillings per 112 
June 18. we jght, higher than the market price shall be 
at the time of signing the lease : and to deli- 
ver all that is raised, at or below that price. 
If for a seven years' lease, containing these 
conditions, they will pay to his Royal High- 
ness, by way of fine, 100,000/. sterling, with- 
out any reprises or deduction, he will make 
them such a lease as shall be a sufficient secu- 
rity for them to undertake the farm upon. 

20. Went to Leicester House. Lord Mayor 

and Aldermen came to compliment the Prin- 
cess upon her lying-in. Letters from Hano- 
ver, with orders that those Knights of the 
Garter, who did not walk, should choose their 
own proxies. The Prince designs Lord Inchi- 
quin for Prince George's proxy. 

05. I met Mr. Vanneck, jun. by appointment 

at Lord Middlesex's, about the Prince's tin. 
We had two hours' conversation, the result of 
which is among my papers relating to that 
matter. But, upon the whole, if he was to 
take all that is raised, with a liberty to advance 
the price 5 per cent, he could give no more 
than 66 s. per hundred weight; so that sup- 



71 



posing the tinners would be contented to bind H50. 
themselves to the present market price of 
64 s. (which, I think, they would not), the 
whole gain to the Prince would be %s. per 
100 weight, or 2/. a ton; which upon 2500 
tons (the quantity supposed to be annually 
raised) amounts to 5000 /. per ami. 



2$. 



. Lady Middlesex, Lord Bathurst, Mr. Bre- 
ton, and I, waited on their Royal Highnesses 
to Spitalfields, to see the manufactory of silk, 
and to Mr. Carr's shop in the morning. In 
the afternoon, the same company with Lady 
Torrington in waiting, went in private coaches 
to Norwood forest to see a settlement of gyp- 
sies. We returned and went to Bettesworth, 
the conjurer, in hackney coaches — Not find- 
ing him, we went in search of the little Dutch- 
man, but were disappointed; and concluded 
the particularities of this day, by supping with 
Mrs. Cannon, the Princess's midwife. 

I had a long conversation with Mr. Ralph 
about the prosecution intended against his 
paper. 



Mr. Furnese, Mr. Ralph, and I dined with j ULy 2. 
Mr. Oswald at Wandsworth. We had much 



29. 



n 



1750. talk upon public affairs. Resolved at my 
return to meet and prepare for parliamentary 
inquiry, such points as should appear most 
liable to censure; particularly to look into 
the grounds of Mr. Lascelles's quietus by 
privy seal : the expenditure during the war : 
the management of the ordnance office : the 
affair of Nova Scotia, and the Canada expedi- 
tion, &c. Mr. Oswald was entirely disposed 
to assist us. 

3. Dined with Lord Talbot, who informed me 

of the many lies which were told of me to the 
Prince, and the unalterable inveteracy of the 
family against me. God forgive them — I have 
not deserved it of them. 

5. I offered Dr. Thomson a room in my house, 

and 50/. per ann. which he accepted. 

Aug. i. I sent to Mr. Ralph, by Whitehead, a 
scheme of opposition to be communicated to 
Lords Middlesex and Talbot, Sir Francis 
Dashwood, Messrs. Furnese and Oswald. 

Se»t. ii. Sir Francis Dashwood told me at Wycombe 
what he had learned of Mr. Boone, viz. — that 
my adversaries were satisfied, that my design, 



73 



when I came into the family, was to turn mo. 
them all out, even to the women, &c. — that bEPT * n 
the Prince told Boone, that I forced myself 
into his service, and that he could not help 
taking me, &c. — that Lord Egmont said he 
knew, that the Prince never advised with, or 
communicated any thing to me, &c. — that 
Lord Egmont defrayed the Prince's expenses 
at Bath, &c. 

Messrs. Furnese and Ralph came to me. i g - 
We had much conversation. We agreed 
that the Prince should, as soon as possible, 
be brought to some eclaircissement, and be 
informed with proof, of the lies that have been 
told of me, by Lords Egmont and Baltimore, 
&c. — that otherwise I could not act in public 
with them. 



J 9. 



Went to a meeting at the King's Arms 
Tavern, 'Change Alley, at eleven o'clock, 
about the herring fishery. Proposed to choose 
the governor, &c. by lists, which was much 
opposed by the Scotch interest. I argued 
for it from the authority of the act of parlia- 
ment, and at last prevailed by 19 against 7. 



I carried Mr. Ralph to Mr. Waller's in 25. 



74 

1750. three hours. Much debate about the means 
►sept. 25. f f ormm g an opposition and its end : at length, 
Mr. Waller promised to act heartily with me, 
and we agreed to begin with the ordnance. 

27 - Went to Lord Middlesex's at Ashley. 

Much talk with my Lord that day and the 
next morning. We agreed that the country 
was in a deplorable state, and that the safety 
of the Prince's succession was in great danger, 
from the maxims he had adopted, and in 
which he was encouraged by those he most 
attended to at present. It was also agreed, that 
Lord Middlesex should procure an explana- 
tion, or that both of us should neither meddle 
with nor appear in the business of the House, 

30. At Leicester House. Lord Bute kissed 

hands for the Bed Chamber. Col. Robinson, 
as Equerry. The latter, as well as Lord 
North, is to remain under the title of servant 
to the Prince, but both are to attend the 
Princes George and Edward, as Governor and 
Equerry. 

Nov. 4. The King landed about twelve o'clock at 
Harwich, and came to St. James's between 
ten and eleven. 



75 

Westminster bridge opened. Air. Tucker 1750. 
and I went to Mr. Scope's, to desire him to 
acquaint Mr. Pelham, that, as we supposed, 
when he engaged for the charter at Weymouth, 
he understood that he was to have two friends 
there, during this parliament, though no such 
conditions were actually expressed, yet, if 
Mr. PJummer should die (who was that day 
cut for the stone) we were too nice upon 
points of honour, to take the advantage of 
what might be implied, though not specified, 
and therefore we would choose any unex- 
ceptionable gentleman he should name. But 
we would not choose any other, or one, who, 
by his relations or situation, might seem to be 
put there, with a view to make a separate 
interest. And we should consider the insisting 
upon such a one, as a premeditated design 
t<f make war, which, when we were in the 
right, we were ready to begin as soon as he 
pleased. 

Mr. Tucker and I met Mr. Pelham, at Dec n, 
Mr. Scropes, by appointment : we settled the 
Weymouth re-election, according to the agree- 
ment made, on obtaining the new charter, and 
he recommended Lord George Cavendish. 



76 



* 1750. Dined at Mr. Masham's : had a long and, 
Dec. 31. I hope, a useful and productive consultation 

all the morning, with Messrs. Oswald, Furnese, 

and Ralph. 

175 i. Renewal of the consultation of last Monday, 
with Messrs. Furnese, Oswald, and Ralph. 
Some progress made. Supped at Lady Mid- 
dlesex's. It being twelfth night (Monday) 
she staked 15 guineas and I 125 with the 
Prince, who sent us word that we had lost 8 
guineas between us. Spent the week at Kew, 
where we had plays every day. 

14. Lord Talbot joined our party at my house, 
and we made farther progress in business. 

15. At one o'clock received orders to dine and 
sleep at Kew. Ladies Middlesex and Tor- 
rington, Mr. Masham, and I went together. 
Played at Farao. Lord Bathurst came on 
horseback. 

16. Came to town to the drawing-room. Dined 
at Carleton House. The Prince, Lords Gran- 
by, Middlesex, Carlisle, Egmont, Limerick, 
Sir John Rushout, Sir Thomas Bootle, Dr. 



77 

Lee, Messrs. Bathurst, Henley, Nugent, Gib- \75\. 
bon, and L Jan - l6 ' 

The session opened. Long debate upon 17. 
the address — division 74 to 203 — mighty sim- 
ple. 

Lord Westmoreland was here. I proposed is, 
a co-operation with a small number of peers, 
which he seemed to approve of, and promised 
to endeavour to make it practicable. 

Spent the morning in farther prosecution *?• 
of the business with Lord Talbot, Sir Francis 
DashwQod, Messrs. Furnese, Waller, Oswald, 
and Ralph. 

Went in private coaches with their Royal 20 « 
Highnesses, Ladies Middlesex and Howe, 
Lord Inchiquin, and Sir Thomas Bootle, to 
Mr. Glasse's, where we sent for a conjurer. 

The Prince's birth-day kept. Dined with 21. 
me Marquis de Mirepoix, General Wall, 
Mons. d'Abrien, Comte de Perron, Abbe di 
Grossa- testa, Mons. de Lossandiere, Marquis 
d'Aye, Comtes de la Marmora, and de Las* 



78 

1751. cary, Baron de St. Fiorent, Comte de Has- 
Jan. 21. \ ali g y Duke of Queensberry, Lord Talbot, Sir 

Francis Dashwood, and Mr. Breton. t 

22. Debate upon some queries about the Army, 

that were dispersed abroad — agree with the 
Lords to burn them. 
■. 
Feb. 6. Have been very ill for the fortnight past : 
but this day went to the House to hear the 
charge against Mr. Murray, brother to Lord 
Elibank, for words spoken against the High 
Bailiff, the day of his making the return for 
Westminster (15th of May last). After the 
trial was over, and the first question moved, I 
left the House, and returned to Hammersmith. 
Never saw an accusation worse supported by 
any thing but numbers. 

n. Mr. Oswald, with other friends, was with 

me, who treated me in the most affectionate 
and friendly manner : told me all his views, 
and the offers that had been made to him, and 
concluded by saying, that he wished to act 
always with me, and that he would accept of 
the Prince's service, if he might come into it 
as my friend, and by and through my hands, 



79 



bnt that he would not come in by any other 17.51, 
hands or canal. Feb. if. 



Went to wait on his Royal Highness at 12. 
Kew— proposed to him the securing Mr. Os- 
wald by my weight with him — the Prince 
hesitated a little, as having made a trial, some 
time ago, by another hand without success. 
At last he allowed the importance of the ac- 
quisition, and ordered me to sound Mr. Os- 
wald's disposition towards it — his Royal High- 
ness ordered me to dine and sleep there. 

Mr. Oswald dined with me, and agreed 13. 
to come to Hammersmith the next morning, 
to settle what report I should make to the 
Prince. 

Mr. Oswald came this morning, and was 1-5> 
pleased to put himself entirely into my hands, 
and to rely upon my friendship. 

Dr. Lee came to me. I talked over to him, 16. 
at large, the points of the Spanish treaty — 
Mr. Lascelles's privy seal — the ordnance con- 
tract — and the expedition. — He seemed to 
approve of them, and I gave him several 



80 



1751. papers to look over at home. He told me 
eb. j 6. ver ^ f ran kiy that, whatever I proposed, he 
would cheerfully support with all his power 
in the debate; but as he was enjoined secrecy, 
he could not be the mover or seconder, be- 
cause that would look like breaking short 
with Lord Egmont, and with others he had 
acted with. 

17. Dr. Lee returned my papers, and thought 

that the treaty would not be a point strong 
enough, but he approved of the others. 

23. Had a conference with his Royal Highness, 

and I began with telling him, that on Mon- 
day Mr. Oswald was with me, to acquaint me 
that he had received positive offers from 
Court; he was surprised, and asked me what 
they were ; I told him that though, as I owed 
my first duty to him, I ought not to conceal 
any thing from him that related to his service; 
yet that there were also other duties that I 
held sacred, and if I should discover the secret 
of a friend to him, I hoped his Royal High- 
ness would be pleased to promise me that it 
should go no farther. He promised me ; and 
I then told him, that Mr. Oswald had been 



81 



offered to be made Comptroller of the Navy, u 175 !', 
with a promise that he should have the assist- 
ance of all Mr. Pelham's power to reform the 
abuses of it, and full liberty to follow his own 
opinion in parliament, and that he came to 
ask my advice upon it. The Prince, con- 
cluding he would accept of the place, said he 
was glad he should find so honest a man in 
business. I told him, that, from the many 
reasons I had given him, he declared to me that, 
as he saw no reformation could be thoroughly 
and effectually brought about, but by the con- 
currence of the Crown, which was not to be 
hoped for in our present situation, he had 
much rather attach himself to his Royal 
Highness, from whom only he could hope for 
that concurrence; but as he was no Courtier 
and had no connexions of that kind, he must 
be contented to do his best in the station that 
was offered to him. That I bade him serious- 
ly consider whether, in case I would venture 
to sound his Royal Highness's disposition to- 
wards him, he would impower me to say that 
he would refuse all offers of the Court, if the 
Prince was willing to admit him into his ser- 
vice — That- he told me, I positively might : 
upon which I promised to undertake it. Af- 

G 



82 



1751. ter a good deal of tallc, the Prince thanked 

Feb. 23. 

me, and ordered me to send Mr. Oswald to 
him at Leicester House between seven and 
eight o'clock on Thursday next. 



25. Mr. Oswald dined with me — he told me, he 

was much embarrassed at what had passed, 
since he saw me; of which he gave me the 
following account: Sunday the seventeenth, Sir 
Henry Ereskine was introduced to the Prince 
for the first time : on Monday the eighteenth, 
Mr. Oswald was with me to settle the report 
I was to make to the Prince — on Tuesday the 
nineteenth, Sir Henry asked him in the House 
— have you received any message from the 
Prince? What do you mean? he returned. 
Has the Earl of Egmont delivered you no 
message ? — I do not know the Earl of Egmont. 
He will then, replied Sir Henry, for I was in- 
troduced to the Prince last Sunday, and he 
asked me if I knew you — I said, yes, intimate- 
ly — he then asked how r you were disposed to- 
wards him — I replied, that I thought you had 
the highest regard for him, &c. His Royal 
Highness then said, I must send to him by 
Dr. Lee or Lord Egmont, for what comes 
from them, is the same as if it came from me. 



S3 



This seemed strange to us, but I think the p 5 \ 
drift is evident. 



Went to the Earl of Shaftesbury's. Much 26. 
talk with him about separating the Tories 
from the Jacobites, on the quarrel between 
them about the late University election, which 
was to be done by bringing them to a declara- 
tion of a few heads, which, he said, he had 
made use of, and hoped he should succeed. 

Mr. Oswald came to me from the Prince, 28. 
whom he found at Carleton House— He was 
received very graciously, and the Prince talk- 
ed to him on many subjects and of many per- 
sons, but never mentioned my name — They 
agreed that Mr. Oswald was to have the Green 
Cloth, and to kiss hands on lady-day. 

Went to the House. Mr. Townshend ad- Mar. i, 
vised with me about General Anstruther's affair. 
I begged him to be very sure of his proofs, be- 
fore he began a charge in Parliament — He de- 
sired leave to come to me to-morrow and to 
show me his papers, which I agreed to, but 
desired him to consult with wiser persons 
than me. 

G2 



84 



1751. Mr. Townshend came, and I fairly showed 

Mar. 2. . 

him, that calling for the reports in council 

would lead him to embarrass the Ministry, 

who, in this case of Anstruther, had delayed 

justice : that I should be glad it should come 

forward, but not from him, apprising hirn 

where his motion would end, since he asked 

my advice as a friend, &c. He thanked me 

much, and it being late, he desired to come 

again to-morrow morning. 

3. Went to Leicester House, but just as I was 
going, Mr. Townshend came, and to my in- 
finite surprise told me that he had been with 
the Earl of Egmont, who had given him a 
question which comprehended the civil and 
military behaviour of General Anstruther, 
which he would read to me. He did so, and 
asked my opinion. I was astonished at his 
ignorance, and said, I had nothing to object 
to it. 

4. Motion by Mr. Townshend seconded by 
Colonel Haldane, for copies of all courts mar- 
tial held by Anstruther, while he commanded 
in Minorca; and of all complaints against 
him in council, and the proceedings there- 



85 



upon. Agreed, without division, to drop the 175 1. 
courts martial till some particular facts were 
alleged, but to suffer the council papers to 
come. 



Went to Leicester House, where the Prince 0. 
told me he had catched cold the day before, 
at Kew, and had been blooded. 

The Prince not recovered. Our passing %. 
the next week at Kew put off. 

At Leicester House. The Prince was bet- 10. 
ter, and saw company. 

At Leicester House. The Prince did not 13. 
appear, having a return of a pain in his 
side. 

At Leicester House. The Prince asleep— H. 
twice blooded, and with a blister on his back, 
as also on both legs that night. 

The Prince had a plentiful evacuation, and 15, 
was out of all danger. 

The Prince without pain or fever. 16. 



86 



1751. Went twice to Leicester House. The 
Prince had a bad night, till one this morning, 
then was better, and continued so. 

18. The Prince better, and sat up half an hour. 

20. Went to Leicester House; from thence to 
the House of Commons, and then to Hammer- 
smith. I w r as told at Leicester House, at three 
o'clock, that the Prince was much better, and 
had slept eight hours in the night before, 
while, I suppose, the mortification was form- 
ing; for he died this evening a quarter before 
ten o'clock, as I found by a letter from Mr. 
Breton at six o'clock the following morning. 

21. I came immediately to town, and learned 
from Mr. Breton, who was at Leicester House 
when the Prince died, that, for half an hour 
before, he was very cheerful, asked to see 
some of his friends, ate some bread and butter, 
and drank coffee: he had spit faff some days, 
and was at once seized with a lit of coughing 
and spitting, which last was so violent, that it 
suffocated him. Lord North was sent to the 
King. This morning the King ordered the 
body to be opened— an abscess was found in 



87 



his side, the breaking of which destroyed him. 175 J- 
His physicians, Wilmot and Lee, knew no- 
thing of his distemper ; as they declared, half 
an hour before he died, that his pulse was like 
a man's in perfect health. They either would 
not see, or did not know, the consequences of 
the black thrush, which appeared in his mouth, 
and quite down into his throat. Their igno- 
rance, or their knowledge of his disorder, 
renders them equally inexcusable for not call- 
ing in other assistance. 

From Tuesday the 12th, when he supped at 
Carleton House, and when he relapsed before 
he went to bed, the Princess never suffered an}' 
English man or woman, above the degree of a 
Valet de Chambre, to see him ; nor did she 
vouchsafe to see any one, man, or lady of the 
family, not even the Lady in waiting, till Sun- 
day last, when it was absolutely necessary that 
somebody should appear to receive compli- 
ments; and then Lady Scarborough was or- 
dered, instead of a Lord, who, as she appre- 
hended, might have expected to see the Prince. 
She saw Dr. Lee one day before the death, 
and, just after the event, she had a long con- 
ference, till past twelve, with him and the 



88 



1751. Earl of Egmont. This morning Lady Mid- 
' dlesex saw her, but was not sent for. Lord 
Middlesex sent his compliments, and was ad- 
mitted. She sent in for the Duke of Chandois, 
and also for the Earl of Scarborough at night. 

When this unfortunate event happened, I 
had set on foot, by the means of the Earl of 
Shaftesbury, a project for a union between 
the independent Whigs and Tories, by a writ- 
ing, renouncing all tincture of Jacobitism, and 
affirming short, but constitutional and revolu- 
tional principles. I had given his Lordship 
the paper : his good heart and understanding 
made him indefatigable, and so far successful 
that there were good grounds to hope for a 
happy issue. These parties, so united, were 
to lay this paper, containing these principles, 
before the Prince ; offering to appear as his 
party, now -, and upon those principles to un- 
dertake the administration, when he was 
King, in the subordination and rank among 
themselves, that he should please to appoint. 
— Father of mercy! thy hand, that wounds, 
alone can save ! 



22. 



Several, in much distress, here. The Earl 



89 

of Shaftesbury and Mr. William Beckford 1751. 
here, by their own appointment; they said, 
they came to ask directions what to do under 
this fatal change of situation; I said, that it 
appeared to me, that, if the Pelham party did 
not, instantly, drive out the Bedford interest, 
they must be driven out by that, though now 
the weakest party ; but that the Bedford party 
would become the strongest, having the King's 
favourite, and, now, only son at their head, 
and at the head of the army; that he would, 
by their interest, small as it might be, and by 
the military interest, force the regency, and 
then, where are the Pelhams ? That this ne- 
cessity enforced the necessity of the project- 
ed union — that, being collected and publicly 
purged from Jacobitism, they became a re- 
spectable body : that if they were applied to 
for assistance, they might then give it upon 
such conditions, and for such share of power 
as they might think safe and honourable for 
themselves and their country. Secondly, if 
they were not applied to, and the Court should 
take a right turn, that then they might, like 
honest and disinterested men, support the 
Court without coming into it. And lastly, 
what was most to be dreaded, if they were 



.90 

1751. not applied to, and the Court should take 
Mar. 22. e ^i ler a dangerous turn, or should continue in 
the same consuming way as at present, that 
then they would be ready to do, what it was 
their duty to do— oppose to the utmost, and 
declare that they mean to wrest the admini- 
stration out of those hands, to take it into their 
own, and apply it to better purposes. That 
despair, which was blameable before, was now 
become criminal. 

My company went away much satisfied, 
and determined to act accordingly. 

I went to Leicester House. The Princess 
afflicted, but well. Went to council, at night, 
which was very full. The common prayer 
altered, but Prince George left, as he now 
stands. The physicians made a report, and 
delivered a paper, being an account of the 
body when opened — I have a copy of it — 
Ordered the bowels to be put into a box co- 
vered with red velvet, and carried in one of the 
Prince's coaches, by such attendants as his 
Groom of the Stole should appoint, and buried 
in Henry the Vllth's chapel. Ordered a com- 
mittee to settle the ceremonies of the funeral 



91 

Went to the Earl of Westmoreland's— Lord 1751. 
Guernsey there— held a conversation upon the 
present affairs— the Earl said that he heard, 
that Sir John Hynde Cotton had proposed 
sending for gentlemen up, acquainting them 
at the same time, that nothing was to be 
proposed to them, but to sit still and wait 
events. I modestly doubted of that measure, 
from experience of the disposition of those 
country gentlemen, who, I thought, would 
neither come, if nothing was proposed, nor 
stay, if there was nothing to do; but yet, who 
would implicitly follow a few of their Lord- 
ships in one or the other: from which it fol- 
lowed, that their Lordships should form a set 
of propositions for the centre of union, and 
then should call them together to own them, 
and act upon them, either taking places (if 
they were to be had upon honourable terms) 
or acting without them. 

I was, in every part, most warmly support- 
ed by Lord Guernsey, and by Sir Edward 
Deering, who came in. I left them together, 
and thought by the very affectionate manner 
of Lord Westmoreland, when I left the room, 
that I had never before made such impression 
upon him. 



92 



1751. Went to the Duke of Dorset's— much talk. 
He thinks of the state of the nation and of the 
Pelhams, just as we do ; as also of the danger 
from the Duke of Cumberland. At the 
Speaker's, he also in the same way of think- 
ing with us. 

25. Long conversation with Lord Limerick. 

He thinks with us — but we both agreed that 
the Pelhams have not sufficient resolution to 
do any thing great. 

27. Went to council. Orders to the Lord Stew- 
ard and Chamberlain to issue warrants for 
black cloth, wax lights, &c. for the rooms at 
Westminster, where the body is to be laid, 
&c. To the Groom of the Stole and Master 
of the Horse to his late Royal Highness, to 
regulate the march of the servants, &c. Or- 
ders to the Earl Marshal to direct the Heralds 
to prepare, for the consideration of the coun- 
cil, a ceremonial for the funeral of his Royal 
Highness, upon the plan of those of the Duke 
of Gloucester and of Prince George of Den- 
mark, which were formed upon the plan of 
the funeral of Charles the Second. 

28. Sir Francis Dashwood from the Earl « 



93 

Westmoreland desired to know, if I thought 1751. 

xr t? i Mar. 28. 
it prudent to make an overture to Mr. Pel- 
ham, as a party to join him, if he would 
engage to lower the land tax next year to 
two shillings in the pound, and reduce the 
army. I sent my duty to the Earl, and 
begged to know, if he thought we were united 
enough to make overtures as a party; and 
if so, what the party was to do in return, in 
case Mr. Pelham should comply. These con- 
ditions are nugatory, and yet, the last, of all 
others, the most difficult to obtain. If we 
were united, we should, now, demand great 
and national conditions, for the safety of the 
whole, which will be as easily obtained, at 
least, as the reduction of the army at present, 
and which reduction, except in the view of 
economy, is trifling. Any army may be 
equally ruinous ; and yet some must be kept 
till the nation can be armed by a proper regu- 
lation of the militia. 

At the Speaker's, where we turned over 29. 
precedents, with relation to the grants of the 
duchy of Cornwall, and of the government dur- 
ing minorities. 

Saw Mr. Prowse, and found him well dis- St. 



94 



mi * posed to the main system. The King was at 
' Leicester House. This night died the Earl of 
Oxford. 



Apr. 3. At council, about the funeral. Ceremonial 
from the Heralds read — their orders were to 
form it on the plan of the Duke of Gloucester's 
and Prince George's of Denmark. But they 
had different orders privately, which, then, I 
did not know. I thought there was very little 
ceremony, and therefore said, that I supposed, 
that they had complied with the orders, which 
their Lordships gave about the plans, on which 
this funeral was to be formed. The Lords 
said, to be sure; and none seemed to have any 
doubts, or concerned themselves about it; sol 
said no more, though I am satisfied, it is far 
short of any funeral of any son of a King. 
After the council was up, I asked the Lord 
Chancellor about it, who said that he sup- 
posed the Heralds had complied with their 
orders, but that he knew nothing of it, and 
had never seen any of the plans. I told him 
that I mentioned it, because, if it should ap- 
pear that any mark of respect to the deceased 
should be wanting in this funeral, it would 
certainly give great distaste. I think the plan 
must be altered 



95 



The King was at Leicester House. 175 l. 

Apr. 4. 

Saw the Earl of Westmoreland, but, his 7 * 
Lady being present, could not talk fully with 
him. Mr. Glover dined with me, and the 
Earl of Shaftesbury came in the afternoon, 
and we agreed to drive it to a short issue w^ith 
the Earls of Westmoreland and Oxford, either 
to form a regular party immediately, or to 
give the point entirely up. If a party should 
be formed, then to fix the subscription for a 
paper by Mr. Ralph, to be supported by about 
twenty of us, at ten guineas each, and by what 
else we can get. 

Went to Mr. Oswald's — from thence to the io. 
Earl of Westmoreland, with whom, and Earl 
Stanhope, I had a long conversation. I left 
them, persuaded of the necessity of forming a 
party, united by constitutional principles, 
which should be reduced into writing and 
signed by all the party. Much talk of those 
principles, of which I mentioned such as oc- 
curred to me, and of which they approved. I 
told them that I had once drawn such a poli- 
tical creed for the last opposition, but the 
gentlemen did not care to sign it. That, now, 



96 



1751. I thought the younger part of our friends 
were very much in earnest, and only wanted 
proper leaders and proper points to unite 
heartily. The Lords agreed that something 
should be digested immediately : I told them 
that, to make a beginning, if they pleased, I 
would send them the paper mentioned, in 
which some hints might possibly be of use ; 
they seemed very desirous of seeing it, and I 
went home, and sent it directly to the Earl of 
Westmoreland. I have done enough, and 
henceforth shall live to myself the years, 
which God in his mercy may grant me, un- 
less I am called upon to assist. 

11. I had much talk with Mr. Oswald on the 

state of affairs, and I told him the steps I had 
taken towards a union of parties: that I 
thought I owed it to our friendship to acquaint 
him, that if this great plan could be effected, 
I must take my share in it. He approved 
the greatness and honesty of the design, and, 
at the same time, told me that Mr. Pel ham 
had renewed his offers since the Prince's 
death, to which he had returned a very gene- 
ral, cool answer: he said that he hoped, from 
the renewing that offer, to find that Mr. Pel- 






97 



ham would show resolution enough to enter H5I. 
into engagements with some more of us, and 
avail himself of the present dispositions of the 
people, to put himself upon his country, and 
get rid of his open enemies and false friends, 
which was now most practicable, and even 
necessary to prevent his being undone by 
both. 

Lord Limerick consulted with me about 13. 
walking at the funeral. By the Earl Marshal's 
order, published in the common newspaper of 
the day (which, with the ceremonial not 
published till ten o'clock, I keep by me), 
neither he as an Irish Peer, nor I as a Privy 
Counsellor, could walk. He expressed a strong 
resolution to pay his last duty to his Royal 
friend if practicable. I begged him to stay 
till I could get the ceremonial ; he did, and 
we there found, in a note, that we might 
walk. Which note, published seven or eight 
hours before the attendance required, was all 
the notice that Lords, their sons, and Privy 
Counsellors had (except those appointed to 
particular functions) that they would be ad- 
mitted to walk. 



98 



1751. 
Apr. 13. 



At seven o'clock I went, according to the 
order, to the House of Lords. The many 
slights that the poor remains of a much-loved 
master and friend had met with, and who was 
now preparing the last trouble he could give 
his enemies, sunk me so low that, for the first 
hour, I was incapable of making any observa- 
tion. 



The procession began, and (except the 
Lords appointed to hold the pall and attend 
the chief mourner, and those of his own do- 
mestics) when the attendants were called in 
their ranks, there was not one English Lord, 
not one Bishop, and only one Irish Lord 
(Limerick), two sons of Dukes (Earl of Drum- 
landrig and Lord Robert Bertie), one Baron's 
son (Mr. Edgecumbe), and two Privy Coun- 
sellors (Sir John Rushout and myself), out of 
these great bodies, to make a show of duty to a 
Prince, so great in rank and expectation. 
While we were in the House of Lords, it 
rained very hard, as it has done all the season; 
when we came into Palace Yard, the way to 
the Abbey was lined with soldiers, but the 
managers had not afforded the smallest co- 
vering over our heads $ but, by good fortune, 



99 

while we were from under cover, it held up. 1751. 
We went in at the S. E. door, and turned 
short into Henry the Vllth's chapel. The 
service was performed without either anthem 
or organ. So ended this sad day — Qaem sem- 
per acerbum — semper honor atum. 

The corpse and bowels were removed, last 
night, to the Prince's lodgings at the House 
of Lords ; the whole bed-chamber were or- 
dered to attend them from ten in the morning 
till the enterrement. There was not the at- 
tention to order the Green-Cloth to provide 
them a bit of bread, and these gentlemen, of 
the first rank and distinction, in discharge of 
their last sad duty to a loved and a loving ma- 
ster, were forced to bespeak a great cold 
dinner from a common tavern in the neigh- 
bourhood. At three o'clock indeed, they 
vouchsafed to think of a dinner, and ordered 
one — but the disgrace was complete, the ta- 
vern dinner was paid for, and given to the 
poor. N. B. The Duke of Somerset was chief 
mourner, notwithstanding the flourishing state 
of the Royal family. 

Lord Shaftesbury came to acquaint me, that 5 1 . 
H 2 






100 



mi - the project of union went on very success- 
fully. I advised him to appoint a meeting, 
for to morrow, of the Earls of Westmoreland, 
Oxford, and Stanhope, to settle the points in 
writing, that are to be the centre of that 
union. Dined at Sir Francis Dashwood's, 
where Earl Stanhope read to us the draught of 
a preamble to such points, which was ex- 
tremely good. 

is. Went to the House — the motion to put off 

the third reading of the naturalization bill for 
two months, was carried by 129 against 116. 
The report of the dismission of the Duke of 
Bedford and Earl of Sandwich, and of the 
introduction of the Earl of Holderness and 
Lord Anson into their places, is not true; but 
it is likely to happen. — If so, they surely de- 
sign to curtail the Southern Province. 

18. At the House. Mr. George Townshend 

opened General Anstruther's affair, and 
moved a question concerted with the Court, 
which was, that his Majesty should be 
addressed to enforce his orders, in conse- 
quence of the report of his council, to oblige 
Lieutenant General Anstruther to make some 



101 



satisfaction to those of Minorca whom he had ]75L 

. r Am. 18. 

oppressed — which must be very unsatisfactory 
and insufficient. Mr. Townshend, who, of 
his own accord, engaged in this affair ; who, 
of his own accord, on very slight acquaint- 
ance, desired my advice, and whom I treated 
with great generosity, as he acknowledged to 
me and others; who imprudently went from 
me to the Earl of Egmont, and brought from 
that Lord a long, inflammatory question, 
which he desired me to correct, and which I 
declined; who received from me the proper 
question in writing, concluding with one to 
establish a civil government in Minorca. 
This gentleman, without giving me the least 
intimation, contents himself with moving this 
tame court question ; and Lord Egmont, that 
Lord, the other day, so violent, who drew a 
question so very different, thought fit even to 

absent himself on the present. — Such wonders 
has the poor Prince's death already produced ! 

Dined at Lord Middlesex's. Was told that 21. 
Mr. Montague, as Auditor to the Princess; 
Mr. Douglas, and Mr. Boone, in the room of 
Sir John Cust, as Clerks of the Green Cloth; 
Mr. Bludworth, as Master of the Horse; 






102 



1751. Messrs. Leslie, Scot, and Robinson, as Equer- 
ries, kissed the Princess's hand this day. 

23. Dined at Sir Francis Dashwood's. Find by 

Lord Talbot, that we are not likely to come 
to a union ; for, now, the terms they propose 
to sign, are of a sort that imply an exclusion 
of coming into office. — Now, as no good can 
be done to this country, but by good men 
coming into office, it is all over, and I give 
up all thoughts of ever being, any farther, 
useful to mankind. 

24-. At the House. Ereskine's accusation 

against Anstruther, baffled by the Court 
through the act of Grace. 

2St Went to town to consult my constant friend 

Mr. Bance, about retrieving, if possible, the 
captainship of the Doddington East India- 
man, which Mr. Tucker imprudently and 
unkindly opposes me in : he being concerned 
(though not equally with me) and having the 
management of my affairs, has led the rest of 
the proprietors to think I was engaged, and 
so, to engage themselves to the person he 
espouses, which disappoints me in serving the 



103 



person recommended to me by the Princess 1751. 

r J Apr. 25. 

of Wales. 

Mr. Bance has just brought Mr. Tucker to 26. 
me, who desists from his engagement, but I 
am persuaded it is now too late. 

Went to town about the ship, but did no 
good. At the House. A message from the 
Crown to the Lords — then a message from the 
Lords, by Masters in Chancery, to the Com- 
mons, to continue sitting some time — then a 
message from the Crown to the Commons, by 
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, recommend- 
ing the Princess of Wales for Regent, with such 
limitations as the Houses shall think proper — 
then a message from the Lords, by the Chief Jus- 
tice of the Common Pleas and the Chief Baron, 
with an address of thanks - y agreed to nem. con. 

Attended the levee — then at council. Lord 3o. 
Holderness brought over — for the seals I sup- 
pose. Earl Harcourt sworn in. Earl of Egre- 
mont sworn as Lord Lieutenant of Cumberland. 

At the House. Resolutions to pave Pall May 3. 
Mall by a pound rate : Sir Francis Dashwood, 
Lord Trentham, General Oglethorpe, and I, 
ordered to prepare the bill. Sense of the 



104 



1751. House taken, if the young Prince of Wales's 
3 ' new servants should be re-elected : it was 
agreed, not. The act was read; but those 
who seemed to favour a re-election, forgot to 
call for the warrants that appointed them 
servants to the Prince : by whom are they 
signed ? if by the King the case would not 
have admitted a word of dispute. The per- 
sons concerned, were Lord Down, Gentlemen 
of the Bed-Chamber; Mr. Selwyn, sen. Trea- 
surer ; and Mr. Stone, Sub-Governor. 

2. Saw several of my neighbours about the 

pavement, and sent them away pretty well 
satisfied. 

Went to the House of Lords. The regency 
bill brought in and opened by the Duke 
of Newcastle. Second reading to-morrow. 
Nothing said, but by the Bishop of Wor- 
cester, who moved, that it might be printed, 
and that the Lords might have time to con- 
sider it, between the second reading and 
committal. The Duke of Newcastle agreed 
to the printing, and it passed, upon the ques- 
tion put. In less than ten minutes after the 
question was carried, the Duke got up and 
said, that he was told by some of the Lords, 



105 



that it was very improper to print the bill, ll'&t. 
upon which they resolved not to print it, and 
the Bishop, being supported by no one Lord, 
very decently offered to withdraw his motion. 
Surely, it was too late after it became a ques- 
tion, voted and agreed to. 

At the House of Lords. Regency bill read 
a second time, and committed for Friday : 
not a word said against it. 

Had intelligence that, upon a message from 9. 
the Earl of Bath, the Princess had signified 
her entire approbation of this bill. I had 
much consultation what was to be done, con- 
sidering how many fruitless pains (as it now 
appeared) I had taken to unite and form a 
party, and yet no sort of concert was thought 
upon, even in these great points. The opinion 
seemed to be, that I should not go to the 
House. 

Went to the House of Lords. They went 10. 
into a committee upon the regency bill. The 
clause for erecting the council was opposed 
by Earl Stanhope alone, who said that such a 
council was a novelty, and that he was against 






106 



1751. it, because he thought it unnecessary, till he 
heard better reasons given for it, than he had 
as yet heard. Nobody answered, or sup- 
ported him, and he gave no other reasons. 
So the clause was carried by a division of 92 
against 12. When they came to the clause of 
prolonging the Parliament, Lord Talbot stood 
up, and showed the weakness of the Chancel- 
lor's arguments, which were drawn from his- 
tory ; and then said, the prolonging the Par- 
liament was an invasion of the people's rights, 
that it was the means of perpetuating a cor- 
rupt one, and was one of those things that the 
whole legislature could not do, because they 
could have no legal power to do it. Lord 
Granville spoke warmly for it, as the best part 
of the bill, all of which he approved of; and 
no one Lord seconded or supported Lord 
Talbot. 

ii, I communicated to Mr. Ralph my present 

resolution of no more meddling with public 
affairs, till some party, worth appearing with, 
shall unite in the service of the country. 

1 3. Dined with Sir Francis Dashwood, and the 

other gentlemen concerned about the paving 






107 



bill. I did not go to the House, where the 1751. 
regency bill was read the first time. Sir Y l3 ' 
Francis came home and acquainted me, that 
nobody but Mr. Thomas Pitt, and he spoke 
against the bill. The Tories totally silent. 
The Court for it. Dr. Lee and Mr. Nugent 
speaking for it. All the Princess's and late 
Prince's court for it. 

Committee of the regency bill — the clause 16. 
establishing the council debated ; opposed, in 
a very fine speech, by the Speaker. Mr. 
William Pitt and Mr. Fox had high words, 
though they were both for the bill. Mr. Pitt 
for the restrictions, lest the next regent should 
claim full powers, if the Princess should die, 
glancing at the Duke. Mr. Fox also for them, 
but defending the Duke. They replied upon 
each other two or three times, but Mr. Fox 
did not vote at last. Mr. Pitt and the Gren- 
villes in office voted for the bill, but Lord 
Cobham spoke and voted against it. Thus it 
was reported to me, but I was not there. 

They went to-day, in the House, upon the 17. 
clause of prolonging the Parliament. The 
committee sat late. No concert between any 
five people, as I am told. 



108 



1751. Was to wait on the Duke of Newcastle, to 
May 22. t nan k him for getting me permission to drive 
through St. James's Park, while the King is 
at Kensington. We parted very civilly. Paid 
Lord Middlesex 140/. for a set of seven of the 
Prince's horses. 

23. Went to Kensington, and kissed the young 

Prince of Wales's hand, but did not see the 
King. 

28. Went to town, to return by water with the 

Spanish and Sardinian Ministers, Messrs. 
Lascaris, St. Fiorent, and Lord Barrington. 
We landed at Hammersmith, where we were 
met by the Marquis de Mirepoix, the French 
Ambassador, Mons. d'Abreu, and Lord Ash- 
burnham. We all dined there. 

31, At the House about the paving bill, which 

was read a second time, and committed to a 
private committee. 

June 7. At the House. Reported the paving bill 
council, and much debate against it. Carried 
to go on with the amendments, but forced to 
adjourn at the first amendment, because there 
were but 35 members present. 






109 



This evening Lord Sandwich received his H5i. 
letter of dismission. 



Heard that the Duke of Bedford resigned u. 
the Seals of Secretray, this morning, at Ken- 
sington. 

Lord Trentham resigned the Admiralty. *5. 

Was at council at Kensington. Earl of 17 - 
Granville sworn in as President. 

Lord Holderness received the Seals of Se- I8 - 
cretary this morning. 

Lord Hartington introduced into the House l9 - 
of Lords. Made Master of the Horse. 



21 



At council at Kensington. Earl of Holder- 
ness sworn first, as a counsellor, and then as 
Secretary of State. Duke of Bedford and 
Lord Burleigh took the oath of office, as 
Lords Lieutenants of Devonshire and Rut- 
landshire. 



I waited on the Princess to take my leave : 25. 
she received me in a very obliging manner. 
The Parliament rose. 



110 



1751. 
June 27. 



This morning I wrote to the Duke of New- 
castle, enclosing Colonel Milles's memorial, 
who is in the Emperor's service as Duke 
of Tuscany. The memorial sets forth, that 
the Ostend Company bought two settlements, 
Banquibuzar and Covelon, of the Mogul ; a 
rebel seized the province of Bengal in 1744, 
and took Banquibuzar from the Emperor's 
Governor. He desires the King to assist him, 
either in retaking the province, with the con- 
sent of, and for the Mogul, or, in making war 
upon the usurper, who took, and still retains 
his forts. He submits to the King, entirely, 
the share and disposition of the gains, and the 
plan of the expedition. 



This plan was attempted about six years 
ago, and cost the Emperor 15,000/. and we 
prevented its execution at the instigation of 
the East India company. Mr. Milles assures 
me that the province of Bengal is the richest 
in the known world ; that he knows where to 
lay his hands on fifty millions sterling ; that 
he can make himself master of it with 1500 
men (and he designs to carry no more) which 
the Emperor will furnish — all that he demands 
of us is shipping, and stores, &c. enough to 
carry them, to be added to the three ships 



Ill 



which the Emperor now has, and which he i?5i. 

i i ■ r i • -i. • i n i June 27, 

bought tor this expedition before, at the time 

when we disappointed it. 

Went to Eastbury. 2$. 

On Wednesday evening the Princess walked July 13. 
in Carleton Gardens, supped and went to bed 
very well : she was taken ill about six o'clock 
on Thursday morning, and, about eight, was 
delivered of a Princess. Both well. This 
morning died the Duke of St. Alba-n at 
London. 

The western mail robbed near Blackwater, 31. 
by one man, about one o'clock on Monday 
morning. 

We dined at Mr. William Churchill's -, Aug. 3. 
coming from thence, about six o'clock, from 
a causeway too narrow, in Mr. Churchill's 
meadow, called their private road, the coach 
was overturned into a wet ditch ; the com- 
pany, particularly the gentlemen, were very 
wet, and if there had been a foot more of 
water, they must all have been suffocated. 
We were obliged to return to the house, and 
we played at cards till day-light. 



112 



I75I « Returned from Eastbury to Hammer- 

Sept. 4.. J 

smith. 



8. News of the birth of a Duke of Bur- 

gundy. Mons. de Mirepoix made a Duke 
and Peer of France. 

28. The Comte de Richecourt, the Emperor's 

Minister, and Colonel Milles, came here in 
the morning to talk about the expedition to 
Bengal. I wrote, immediately, an account 
of it to the Duke of Newcastle. 

Oct. i. Received a very civil letter from the Duke 
of Newcastle, about the expedition to Bengal. 

2 - Waited upon the Duke, and was very 

kindly received; he told me all that had 
passed about Bengal, and put the event upon 
the consent and concurrence of the East 
India company. Called upon Dr. Lee, who 
informed me that the gentlemen, accused of a 
secret treaty with the late Prince, had put it 
in issue with the King, that the Prince applied 
to them, and that they declined it, and re- 
ferred the King to the Princess for the truth 
of their assertion. This is bold, for I know 
the assertion to be false. 



113 



Went to wait on the Comte de Richecourt, '751. 

Oct 4> 

and the Bishop of London. Colonel Milles 
came, to whom I delivered the Duke of New- 
castle's directions, that, if he would consent 
that Mr. Drake and Alderman Baker, of the 
East India Company, should ask leave of the 
Court of Directors to receive proposals from 
him, they were ready to ask it, and if obtained, 
to enter into the matter with him. 

News of the death of the Prince of Orange. 13. 

Waited on the Princess, and was most gra- 14. 
ciously received. She was pleased to send for 
the Prince of Wales, Prince Edward, and the 
Princess Augusta. 

Saw Mr. Dawkins's drawings of the anti- 24. 
quities which he saw in the East; they are 
exceedingly fine and curious. 

Lord Chancellor, Lord President, and I, 29. 
went from the Cockpit to dine with the Lord 
Mayor : there were none of the council, ex- 
cept us three. Lord Granville and I went 
together. 



114 



1751. 
Oct. 30. 



The King's birth-day. The drawing-room 
in weepers. 



Nov. 14. Parliament opened. Lord Downe and Sir 
William Beauchamp Proctor, moved and se- 
conded the address. No opposition to it. 

is. The account which Cary brought to me, 

I think, puts an end to the Bengal expedition, 

20. At the House. Order to commit Mr. 

Murray to Newgate renewed. 

£1* Last Saturday the Duke of Cumberland had 

a bad fall from his horse, while he was hunt- 
ing at Windsor. 

26. Went to council at St. James's, where pro- 

clamation, with 500/. reward was ordered for 
apprehending Mr. Murray, in consequence of 
a resolution of the House. 



Dec. 12. This day died Lord Bolingbroke. 

19- Went to council, where the trustees for 

Georgia agreed to surrender their charter to 
the King, absolutely and unconditionally. 



115 



Was to wait upon the Princess of Wales. 1751. 
Received in a manner most remarkably kind Dec - 21 
by her and all the royal children. 



Waited upon the Princess, whose kindness jj**j 
seemed to increase towards me. 



Jan. I, 



The Solicitor General, with other company, 26. 
dined with me. On a malicious report that I 
had forced myself upon the late Prince of 
Wales, and into his service, I explained the 
whole transaction to the Solicitor General, 
and produced to him all the proper vouchers 
that verified it, step by step. 

Went to council, where Lord Granville 30. 
very imprudently drew in question the validity 
of the French treaty of commerce, making 
the goods of enemies on French bottoms 
free from capture. This was, however, left 
undecided. 

Mr. Furnese dined with me, and gave me Feb. 2. 
an account of what had passed between him 
and the Solicitor General (Mr. Murray) about 
a message to Mr. Tucker, by Mr. Ellis, from 
Mr. Pel ham, to know what was to be done on 
J 2 



116 



] ' 52 - a new election at Weymouth, pretending that 
the choosing two, at his nomination, was to 
last always. The Solicitor General entered 
into a detail of my affairs with much affection 
and warmth, and said, he knew there was not 
the least indisposition towards me in the Mi- 
nistry, but was afraid, that the King had been 
strongly prejudiced against me personally : 
that he would take it upon him to bring this 
matter to a proper issue, one way or another; 
as it was by no means fitting, that I should 
offer to ask for any thing, till I was sure of 
being well received. He behaved nobly, and 
like a friend. The event is with God. 

*• Went to council. Gave the Solicitor Ge- 

neral an account in writing, of the whole pro- 
ceeding of the late Prince of Wales, in the 
demand of 100,000/. per ann. in Parliament. 

°- Went to the Cockpit to a prize cause, 

which turned upon the authenticity of the 
treaty of commerce with France; several 
Lords (of which the Lord President was one) 
doubted of its being in force. I did not, and 
it was at last decided by virtue of that treaty. 
We ended that long dispute of General An- 



117 



struther and Minorca, by referring the costs m2 - 

J Feb. G. 

and damages he is to pay, to the Master of 

the Rolls and General Bland. 



Mr. Furnese called on me. He had seen, 9, 
the Solicitor General, who had informed him, 
that there was not the least indisposition in 
the Pelhams, but, on the contrary, a willing- 
ness to live well with me. That they said, it 
would not be impossible to remove the ill im- 
pressions made upon the King, but it required 
a little time, &c. If they removed the Pitts, 
&c. then it might be easy. 

Mr. Ellis was with me : he introduced the io. 
talk of his election on a new Parliament. I 
told him, that I thought my behaviour, both 
public and private, even in opposition, never 
could have given just cause of offence to the 
Pelhams, or could have shown any indisposi- 
tion to live personally well with them ; that, 
as I was, now, entirely free from engagements, 
I was sincerely desirous of Mr. Pelham's fa- 
vour and friendship, if he would accept of my 
friendship and attachment: if then, he would 
accept of my services, he might, upon proper 
conditions, command my interest, and in that 



118 



1752. case, nobody would be more welcome to me 
Feb. 10. J 

at Weymouth, than he, Mr. Ellis. That this 

was in Mr. Pelham's breast, who best knew 

his own disposition, but that mine was entirely 

inclined to be his friend and servant, upon 

proper conditions. This of proper conditions, 

was frequently repeated, and Mr. Ellis desired 

to observe, that there was neither promise nor 

engagement. 

15. Saw the Solicitor General by appointment, 

and found his report much less favourable 
than Mr. Furnese understood it. That the 
Pelhams were very well disposed to me, but 
that the King was so* much prejudiced against 
me by former misrepresentations, that he 
feared they could answer for nothing, &c. 
So we parted, I taking it for a thing entirely 
broken off, but he saying, that he did not yet 
see it in that light. 

20. Waited on the Princess, and was very gra- 

ciously received. 

Mar. 3. The King's birth-day kept. I was at court. 

13. I waited on the Princess. A chapter of 



119 

the Garter. Prince Edward, the Stadtholder, 1752. 
the Earls of 
gan elected. 



the Earls of Lincoln, Winchelsea, and Cardi- AR ' l ' 



Went to council, on the particular cause of 18. 
a prize taken from the Spaniards by Admiral 
Knowles, the 3d of September 1748, in Ame- 
rica. It turned upon the interpretation of 
the terms for hostilities ceasing in those parts, 
which were fixed by the preliminaries of Aix 
la Chapelle (which refers to the treaty of sus- 
pension between us and France, 1712) and 
the proclamations here, and other acts of 
state there — I delivered my opinion, at large, 
for restitution. The Lords took a further day 
to give judgement, but the majority seem to 
be with me, and, I think, it must be so de- 
cided. 

A cause on a capture by Admiral Griffin in *9. 
the East Indies, commonly called the Lascar's 
cause. The claim against it appeared to be 
a manifest forgery and was rejected ; and the 
prize must be adjusted to the captors when 
we next meet. 

Went to council at St. James's The King 30; 



120 



1752. declared 

Mar. 30. 

Counsellors took leave 



the Regency, as usual, and the 
and kissed his hand. 
The King set out, ahout four, the following 



morning for Harwich. 



Apr. 9. This morning my old acquaintance, Mr. 
Scrope, died at the age of eighty-four. 

1 6. Consulted the Speaker about Dr. Thomson's 

privilege. 



17. Went to town to attend Dr. Thomsons 

action of defamation against Saxon the apo- 
thecary, at the King's Bench — began at six, 
ended at nine — evidences, speaking to the 
Doctor's skill and reputation, were the Duke 
of Roxburgh, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Levison, 
Sir Francis Dash wood, Sir Francis Eyles, Air. 
Drax, and myself. He carried his cause, and 
the jury gave 20/. damages. 

21. At council — the Solicitor General told me 

he had spoken to Mr. Pel ham, as from him- 
self — that there was a real good-will and de- 
sire to take me with them ; but that they had 
fears to engage me, lest they, on their part, 
should not be able to fulfil their engagements, 



121 



That they were afraid of the King, and of the 1752. 
party (the old Walpolians) nick-named the PR * ' 
Black-tan, &c. The Solicitor advised me by 
all means to see Mr. Pelham, and that I 
should meet with a friendly, confidential re- 
ception, &c. &c. This is nothing; but 
obliges me to see him. 



Saw Mr. Pelham, by appointment, in Ar- May 5. 
lington Street — I began by telling him, that 
the applications I had received from Mr. Ellis 
about his election at Weymouth, I considered 
as giving me handle to wait upon him ; for I 
was come to offer him, not only that, but all 
the services in my power, and that I was au- 
thorised to say the same from all my friends. 
He said, he should willingly embrace it, were 
it not for fear, that he should not be able to 
fulfd what he wished to do on his part. I 
asked, whether he would admit of a confiden- 
tial conversation — he said, he could have no 
reason to wish any other, and that what Ellis 
had said, was from him, and was meant to pro- 
duce such a conversation. I then asked him, 
if there was any real inclination in the Duke 
of Newcastle and him, to accept of us into 
their friendship and protection, if objections 



122 



1752. 
May 5. 



could be removed; for that I knew the dif- 
ferent facility of removing them, when there 
was a little good-will at the bottom, and when 
it was the work of importance only — he 
would observe, that I did not arrogate im- 
portance ; but if I had it, I would accept of 
nothing that was only owing to that — that, at 
my time of life, nothing would tempt me to 
come into any Court, upon the foot of force 
and intrusion. That I said this, to explain to 
him, that I desired to live with him, and his, 
as their attached friend and servant; that I 
desired no rank which could justly create 
envy in my equals, or any sort of power that 
might occasion suspicion in my superiors. Re- 
serving only, that, if he gave me a musket and 
ordered me to a post, I should certainly fire. 
That, if clouds should arise, I was not afraid 
at all, to meet the great geniuses now on the 
stage. Mr. Pelham said, that there were* real 
good wishes and good-will, and for nobody 
more; but how to put them in execution was 
what hindered him from saying all he wish- 
ed — that there were difficulties, and great 
ones with the King, on account of my quitting 
his service for the Prince's, &c. I replied, 
that I was aware of such a prejudice; but 



123 



that I believed, when it was represented to 1752. 
the King, and by him as his opinion, that I 
could be of some utility to his Majesty's ser- 
vice, by my own and by the weight of my 
friends, particularly in choosing several mem- 
bers, it would be the means of removing all 
prejudices. For that, though I knew that no 
pains had been spared to make him (Mr. 
Pel ham) believe the contrary, yet I did assure 
him, as a gentleman and his servant, that the 
interest of Weymouth was wholly in Mr. 
Tucker and me: that in the country it was 
impossible to choose one member against us, 
at least, without the utmost violence : that, 
indeed, he could give us a great deal of trouble 
there, and, I owned, could choose any four he 
pleased (by petition) at Westminster. But 
that, I knew, it was not in his temper; and I 
could not think it was for his interest to have 
recourse to flagrant acts of violence, to choose 
two members (which was the most he pretend- 
ed to) when he might have all four, and me 
too, without any violence at all. 

Mr. Pelham did not pretend to set up any 
right of the Court, or that they designed to 



124 



1752. make use of any force against me, but said, to 
May 5. ^ e sure? w hat I had hinted must be the way 
that he must take towards the King ; and that 
he would truly tell me all that he knew about 
the King's prejudice against me — that his 
Majesty was angry at my quitting, though he 
received it better than he expected, as he had 
told me before : but at my going into the Prince's 
service afterwards, the King broke out and said 
to him, Here is a fine end of civilities ; here is 
Dodington, you made me give him, the other 
day, a great employment, and, now, he has 
thrown it at your head, and is gone over to my 
son, and besides, a nominal place is made for 
him, to give him a pretence of putting himself 
at the head of his measures, and more to this 
purpose — after this upon my coming to Ken- 
sington, on a Sunday, some time after the 
Prince's death, the King said, I see Dodington 
here sometimes, what does he come for ? to 
which Pelham replied, that he did not 
know, indeed, but he did not believe that 
T had any particular views, because he had 
never had the least hint of any; which, if 
I had formed any, he thought, he should, 
sooner than another, have heard of them 
from the long acquaintance between us; 



125 



that he was sure my coming to Court was to S 15 ' 2 ' 
show my duty, and that I desired to live in his 
favour, and, he supposed, that I might wish 
for his (Pelham's) protection and desire to 
come into his service : but that was guess only 
— the King replied, No, there has been too 
much of that already — and that the conversa- 
tion did not end well. That he would tell me 
the bottom of all his politics and his brother's 
too, for they must in the end be the same ; and 
that was, to choose a new Parliament, that 
should be all of a piece; such a one, as might 
serve the King if he lived, and be steady to put 
the young King in the right way, if the old 
one died: — that he meant a thorough Whig- 
Parliament ; for when there were factions, 
though a wise man was obliged to avail him- 
self of them, as well as he could ; yet they 
were not desirable, nor what he meant; but 
he wished to have a thorough Whig Parlia- 
ment all of a piece. I replied, that I approved 
of what he said, and thought, that the offers I 
now made him, from myself and friends, might 
contribute to facilitate that end — he said, it was 
for that end, that he told it to me. That they 
were, now, without competition, as well with 
the King as they could possibly hope for : but 



1752. 
May 5. 



126 



that he was not so weak as to imagine, that it 
depended upon any thing but the ease they 
procured his Majesty, in carrying on his ser- 
vice : that the King's temper was to be ob- 
served and complied with, &c. &c. 



That, upon the present subject, he himself 
was most sincere and desirous to effect it, and 
would do his best, and he was sure his brother 
would do so too, and that he would write to 
him in conformity. That, as to borough 
matters, when he was pressed about Wey- 
mouth (as, to be sure, both of us must expect), 
he thought the best language he could hold 
was, that he and I lived very well together, 
and that he had no room to think, that any 
thing would be done there, that would be dis- 
agreeable or disserviceable to him ; and that I 
should deal in the same general terms, &c. 



I said, that, as to quitting the King's service, 
I did not do it with any compact with the 
Prince; that it was full four months after, be- 
fore his Royal Highness made me any offers, 
and he then did it in such a manner, that left 
me no option to refuse, without offending him 
for ever. That Mr. Solicitor General Murray 



127 



knew this ; and that I had living and written 1752. 
evidence to prove it incontestably. Since I AY 
came into the Prince's service, I could ap- 
peal to him, whether my behaviour was not 
entirely calculated to soften, rather than to in- 
flame, even to the loss of my favour -, whether, 
when the little, incendiary system prevailed, 
by which alone many of those about his 
Royal Highness's person could ever be of any 
significance, I did not endeavour to check 
it ; and when I could not, did not absent my- 
self from the House, rather than take a part, 
or countenance it. But, however, I desired 
the King should know, that I would not jus- 
tify with my Sovereign and my master, but 
submitted myself to think that I was to blame, 
since he was displeased* and that I therefore 
humbly begged pardon, which was all in my 
power to do, except to show him, by my future 
services, that I deserved it. That this, with 
the interest I could, and was willing to centre 
in his Majesty's service, I thought, might be 
sufficient to remove objections (which had in 
reality no foundation), especially, when con- 
veyed through so able, so powerful, and, I 
trusted, so friendly a channel. That, upon 
the whole, he might see, and I meant he 



128 



1752. 
May 5. 



should, that I was very desirous this event 
should take place, from a sincere wish to at- 
tach myself to him, and to end my life with 
those, with whom I began it. That I was desir- 
ous to serve my country, and chose to do it with 
the good liking of the King — but if his Majesty 
should shut up that way, that then I must en- 
deavour to do it by such ways as should offer 
in the course of things. Mr. Pelham renewed 
the assurances of his sincere wishes and endea- 
vours, in a very decent manner, and added, 
that he was restrained from saying what he 
wished, out of the regard he owed me, not to 
say any thing he was not sure to perform, and 
concluded, by inviting himself, in a most gen- 
tlemanlike and obliging manner, to Hammer- 
smith. 



Went to the Speaker's in Surry, with Mr. 
Chamberlayne, about Dr. Thomson's most dis- 
agreeable affair. 



li. Sir Francis Dashwood dined with me, and I 

communicated to him what had passed between 
Mr. Pelham and me; I offered him to be of 
the party, but he declined it. 



129 

Prince of Wales's birth-dav. I went to St. -,} 152 ' 

My a 24. 

James's. Great court, but not in new clothes. 



Dined with me, Lord Lincoln, Messrs. Pel- 25 * 
ham, Vane and son, Solicitor General, and 
Furnese. Much wine, and as much good hu- 
mour as I ever met with; both lasted till al- 
most eleven o'clock. 

Dined at Lord Lincoln's with Mr. Pelham, 31. 
&c. — staid late. 

Dined with Mr. Pelham at Esher. Much June 1. 
drink and good humour. 

At the Cockpit : a complaint by Mr. Webb is. 
against Mr. William Sharpe, for taking exor- 
bitant fees. 

Went to attend Dr. Thomson's cause. The 20. 
court would not enter into proofs whether he 
was, or was not, my servant. 

I went to Mr. Oswald's. He expressed 21. 
much affection and attachment towards me. 

Went to the Cockpit. Mr. Webb's accu* 23. 

K 



1752. 
June 23. 



130 

sation of Mr. William Sharpe, for taking three 
guineas, as a council fee, in every prize cause, 
from the gainer only, heard ; and adjudged to 
be false, groundless, and malicious. 



July 6. Went to town to meet Lord Middlesex and 
Counsellor Forrester. Lord Middlesex gave 
me full power to make his submission, and to 
endeavour to reconcile him to his father. 
Owen tried, and acquitted, for publishing 
Mr. Murray's case. This is the third great 
case, where the juries have insisted on judging 
the matter of law, as well as of fact. The first 
was of Bushell, the Quaker, reported by Lord 
Chief Justice Vaughan : the second, was that 
of the Bishops in the reign of James the lid. 

7. I waited on the Duke of Dorset. I chose to 

put the question to him hypothetical^ ; if his 
son should throw himself at his feet, and declare 
an unreserved submission and sorrow for what 
is past — what would he do ? He was much 
moved. I desired he would not answer me 
then, as I had no commission to demand it, 
but that he would consider of it ; because, as 
the family were to come to me at Eastbury, if 
I should receive such commission, I should 



131 



think it my duty both to him and his son, to } 752 - 
. . July 1 

lay it plainly before him, if it should be full 

and ample, as it ought to be. 

I went early to town to take my leave of 15 * 
Mr. Pelham. After a little general conversa- 
tion, I rose to go away, and said that the Soli- 
citor General had told me, that it was not only 
his own, but Mr. Pelham's opinion, that no- 
thing of our affair should be broken to the King, 
till his return from Hanover ; and, therefore, 
I asked him no news. He replied, it was their 
opinion — that he had treated me with the ut- 
most sincerity, and would continue to do so — 
that he sincerely wished the thing, and would 
do every thing to bring it about— that all rea- 
sons were for it — that he had told me the pecu- 
liarity of temper, the prejudices, &c. that 
made things disagreeable, but that he would 
do his best. I replied, that, considering the 
name he bore, I could have no doubt of his 
sincerity, and therefore would patiently wait 
the event. But that I thought, when, through 
a canal so favourable, the King was informed 
that, when I quitted his service, it was not by 
a bargain to enter into the Prince's, and that 
I never made the Prince any proposition at 



132 

1752. all — that it was more than four months after 
July 15. . . 

my quitting, that the Prince made me any. 

When his Majesty is desired to reflect, how 
much, when I came into the Prince's service, 
I endeavoured to bring a little temper and mo- 
deration into it, and when I could not succeed 
in that, I would not support the incendiary 
part, and therefore did not go to the House. 
That the Princess, the Solicitor General, and 
other living witnesses, which I could produce, 
knew the first, and that I could appeal to him- 
self (Pel ham) for the truth of the last. But, 
setting all this aside, when his Majesty should 
be informed that I would not justify against 
my King and my master. That, since Vie was 
displeased, I was willing to think myself to 
blame, and humbly to demand his pardon, as- 
suring him that my future services should de- 
serve it. Here I desired him to observe that, 
when a gentleman asks pardon, he is with us 
entitled to it, and it was what I would not do 
when I was in the right, to any subject in the 
world, or to any Prince, but himself. When 
his Majesty was assured that I was capable of 
facilitating his affairs, and that his chief ser- 
vants were desirous of receiving me 

If all this, represented by those he did, and 



133 



ought chiefly to rely on, would not do, I hoped I752 - 

ij U JL jl 1 <-) • 

Mr. Pel ham would think, that I had discharged 
my humble duty to his Majesty, and showed 
how desirous I was, of passing the rest of my 
life with him, and under his protection ; for, I 
thought, I had said and done as much as any 
man of honour could do, or say, and had gone 
as far as was possible. Mr. Pel ham said, that 
he understood me perfectly well, that he wished 
the thing cordially, and would do all imagin- 
able justice, and leave nothing, in his power, 
unattempted to persuade the King — that, in 
short, he had explained to me the bottom of 
his politics — that he had a great regard for all 
Europe, but did not trouble himself much 
about it— that his concern was to keep things 
on a right foot at home — that if the King was 
willing to arrondir his affairs, and let them 
get together, as many as they could of those 
who could best contribute towards it; in order 
to go on as he was bred up, and suffer them to 
endeavour to have a thorough Whig Parliament 
chosen, which would makefile remains of his 
Majesty's life easy, and would settle the young 
Prince upon the throne, so as to secure him a 
prospect of a prosperous reign. If they would 
let him do this, he was at their service ; if not, 
he could be contented to be a private man as 



134 



1 752. we n as another — not that he complained of the 
King, &c. In short, here he spoke a little 
Pelham, but intelligible enough to those who 
are acquainted with the language. 

We parted very kindly. 

16- By the Princess's commands I passed the 

day with her at Kew. I arrived there about 
eleven in the morning, and we passed two or 
three hours a together, alone, in the gardens. I 
informed her, by her order, of the state of the 
Irish affairs, which had made so much noise. 
She asked me about a report she had heard 
concerning a reconciliation between the Duke 
of Dorset and Lord Middlesex. I said, it would 
be impracticable unless Lord Middlesex would 
entirely submit to his father; and even then, his 
behaviour had made the wound so deep, that I 
could not be answerable what the Duke would 
do. She seemed desirous of it, and wished I would 
try. I told her that, as Lord and Lady Mid- 
dlesex were to be with me, in the country, I 
would see what his Lordship could be brought 
to, for from thence only it could move, if at 
all. I opened myself no farther to her. We 
came in an hour before dinner. I dined at the 
Bed-chamber woman's table, where was Mr. 



135 



Cresset, who behaved very courteously to me, , 175a 

i . i • A/>v JuLY 16 - 

and is a very knowing man. After dinner, 

her Royal Highness sent for me : we walked 
round Richmond Gardens : she was attended 
by the Ladies Augusta and Elizabeth, Messrs. 
Cresset and Bludworth. When we returned, 
she ordered me to come in with her : we sat 
down, and she turned the discourse upon the 
Ministry. I soon perceived she had heard 
something of the late correspondence between 
Mr. Pelham and me; I therefore thought it 
fit- to tell her that, from an opportunity which 
had arisen from them, I had lately renewed 
my correspondence with them, and that I had 
taken occasion to tell them, that I was de- 
sirous of ending my life, in quiet, with those 
with whom I had begun it, and whom I 
most esteemed, &c. That they received my 
offers of friendship very civilly, and seemed 
desirous of receiving me; but that they 
apprehended the prejudices of the King 
against me, from the honour I had of belong- 
ing to the Prince, &c. That the answer I 
made, was that my inclinations were sincere, 
as, I supposed, their kind acceptance was 
also ; and that, for the rest, I must leave it to 
them. I then put her in mind, that I never 



136 

1752. 

July 16, asked any thing of his Royal Highness; that 
he never promised any thing to me, till four 
months after I had quitted my employment; 
and that I then testified my surprise to her, 
and acquainted her with all that passed. She 
said, she remembered it very well. I then re- 
minded her how, from my appearance as 
a servant at Cliefden, I formed a plan of 
temper and moderation : that, knowing her 
right way of thinking, I ventured to commu- 
nicate the plan to her, and begged her protec- 
tion, in the execution of it, even before we re- 
turned to town — that I always had persisted 
in it, and never would engage in any other. 
She replied, it was very true ; she was a very 
good witness of it, and would always assert it, 
&c. I asked leave to wait on her at Kew, if she 
should be there at my return, which she gave 
me in a very obliging manner, and then I 
came home to Hammersmith by ten at night. 



20. 



At half past three, without going to bed, 
Mrs. Dodington and I set out in our post- 
chaise for Eastbury, where we arrived the same 
day, at six in the afternoon. 



Sept. 15. Messrs. Dodington, Ralph, and I went to 



137 

Poole, to poll for a Sheriff and Mayor. We^ 7 ^ 
lost both elections, and I think Mr. Treneh- 
ard's election in danger. 

We returned to Hammersmith. 26 - 



28. 



Went to Mr. Pelham's. He gave me an 
account of Earl Poulett's correspondence with 
him, about the vacancy at Bridgewater. I 
mentioned, that I had written to his Lordship, 
to make it a means of reconciling the family. 
He seemed much indisposed towards Mr. 
Vere. There was company, and so we could 
not talk fully. At council, there was nothing 
to do but to prorogue the Parliament, and issue 
a proclamation for a Scotch Peer, on the death 
of the Duke of Gordon. 



Went to town to meet the Duke of Dorset. 0cT - 2 « 
I made his son's submissions to him, and en- 
deavoured to procure a full reconciliation. 
We had a long conference. He alleged the 
many, almost unpardonable provocations, 
which I know to be true ; but did not abso- 
lutely refuse to forgive him. He boggled 
much at the freeing his son from his debts, 
and said, that nothing but his distresses drove 



138 



1752. him to think of his duty, and therefore, he 
Oct. 2. 

expected some actions, to convince him of 

his sincerity. To this I said that, as to enu- 
merating provocations, I thought our most ra- 
tional point was to look for reasons to forgive, 
instead of materials to continue the quarrel. 
That as to paying the debts, I wished it was 
come to that, for I could make that circum- 
stance very practicable. As to the motives of 
his son s repentance, I allowed them : but he 
must allow that they were, too often, the same 
with those of us all to our common Father, to 
whom we were more obliged than we could be 
to our natural parent — That God accepted 
our repentance, though grounded on distress : 
should we then refuse it when offered to us ? 
As to actions, what should they be ? — would 
he please to subscribe. This was matter of 
some difficulty: and as the conversation had 
been very long, we agreed to meet again, to 
consider if any temperament can be found. I 
greatly doubt it : but if Lord Middlesex would 
help himself — though I think he will not — it 
might succeed. 

4. I went to town to see Mr. Pelham, and laid 

before him the utility of his taking the occasion 



139 

of Mr. Poulett's death, to make up the quarrel 1752. 
between the Earl and his brothers, by choosing 0cT * 4# 
Mr. Vere Poulett in his place. Mr. Pelham 
would not enter into it, as Mr. Vere had left 
them unhandsomely, and had treated him ill, 
personally, wherever he could be heard. He was 
indeed for the union of the family, but he would 
have nothing to do with Mr. Vere, from his 
personal behaviour, though he could very well 
live and treat with those who opposed, and 
even personally opposed him; which, con- 
sidering those he has about him, was, I thought, 
saying in effect, that he would take a blow 
from a strong man, but not from a weak one. 
He then said, that they knew nothing positive 
as to the King's coming; but should know by 
the next courier, whether he designed to go to 
Hanover the next year. For that he had writ- 
ten to his brother, to beg to know of his Ma- 
jesty, whether he would have the Parliament 
meet before, or after Christmas. We touched 
upon the subsidies attending the election of a 
King of the Romans : Mr. Pelham's face fell, 
and he grew very uneasy upon it, and expressed 
much dislike at the way it was conducted. 
He said, he was always against these subsidies; 
that his idea was, that, if the dissenting electors 



140 



1752. 
Oct. 4. 






would give in the ultimatum of their demands, 
and perform the conditions before they received 
the reward, then, indeed, when we were sure 
of our bargain, it might be worth considering 
if it were prudent to pay the price: but, to be 
buying one elector after another, was what he 
abhorred and could not approve of. It must 
have an end— he had declared so in Parliament, 
and, as I was not present at the debate, he 
would tell me what he said, for he found that 
he had been misrepresented. I told him, that 
I had heard from many quarters how he was 
understood; that though I was satisfied that 
he said nothing but what was proper, yet, 
whatever was the general acceptation was 
worth attending to: I continued, that it was 
allowed on all hands, that he declared against 
the subsidies in general, but that he was for the 
present demand, as it was to be the last, and as 
he had good reason to think, it would certainly 
attain the end : that it was, by somebody, fast- 
ened upon him, who, rejecting all that others 
had said, declared that he voted for them, singly 
on the assurances given by him. Air. Pel ham 
replied, Who ? Pitt ? I said No ; I thought it 
was Mr. Fox. He repeated, in a low voice* 



141 

Oh, Fox! with great signs of uneasiness and 1752, 
discomposure, and in that situation I left " 

him. 

I received a letter from Mr. Cresset, that her 9. 
Royal Highness would see me this morning. 
I made haste to dress, and got to Kew by half 
an hour after eleven. I saw her Royal Highness 
very soon : she, the Ladies Augusta, Elizabeth 
and 1 went out, and we walked without sitting 
down, for near three hours. We had much talk 
upon all manner of private subjects, serious and 
ludicrous. Her behaviour was open, friendly, 
and unaffected. She commanded me to dine, 
and to pass the afternoon with her. When 
we came in, we met Lady Middlesex, who had 
sent me word she was to be there. We walked 
in the afternoon till it was dark. As we came 
in, she said, that she had a petition from the 
Prince, that we would play at comet, of which 
he was very fond. The party was the Princes, 
the Prince of Wales, Prince Edward, the Ladies 
Augusta and Elizabeth, Ladies Middlesex and 
Charlotte Edwin, and myself. 

I received an account from Bridge water that, 1 1. 
at the Mayor's feast, Mr. Balch, who was 



142 



1752. present, was declared candidate to succeed 
Oct. ii. M r Poulett. I sent an abstract of the letter, 
with one of my own, to Mr. Pelham. 

13. Saw Mr. Pelham, and spoke to him about 

this sudden event at Bridgewater. He agreed 
that it was wholly Earl Poulett's fault, in not 
determining and recommending somebody 
sooner. He seemed to be well enough satisfied, 
from the character I had given him of Mr. 
Balch. 

J5. The Princess having sent to desire me to 

pass this day with her, I waited on her ac- 
cordingly between eleven and twelve. I saw 
her immediately ; her Royal Highness, the 
children, and Lady Charlotte Edwin went 
walking till two, and then returned to prayers, 
from thence to dinner. As soon as dinner was 
over, she sent forme, and we sat down to comet. 
We rose from play about nine : the royal child- 
ren retired, and the Princess called me to the 
farther end of the room, and the two ladies 
(Lady Charlotte Edwin and Lady Howe) who 
were to sup with her, remained at the other 
end. She began by saying, that she liked the 
Prince should, now and then, amuse himself 



143 



at small play, but that Princes should never 1752. 
play deep, both for the example, and because * 15, 
it did not become them to win great sums. 
From thence, she told me, that it was highly 
improper, the manner in which the Princess 
**** behaved at Bath; that she played, 
publicly, all the evening, very deep. I asked 
with whom? She said, with the Duke and 
Duchess of Bedford: that it was prodigious 
what work she made with Lord Chesterfield: 
that, when his Lordship was at Court, she 
would hardly speak to him, at least, as little as 
was possible to a man of his rank; but that 
now, at Bath, she sent to inquire of his coming 
before he arrived; and when he came, she 
sent her compliments of expecting him at all 
her parties at play; and that he should always 
sit by her in the public rooms, that he might 
be sure of a warm place, &c. I asked her, how 
these demonstrations with him and the Bedfords, 
were to be represented to the King ? She said, 
she did not understand it. That, the Duke of 
Bedford, when he went out, treated the Duke 
of Newcastle very ill to the King, not only as 
to public, but to private matters with relation 
to LordGower: but that, some time afterwards, 
in the summer, the Duke of Bedford relented, 



144 



1752. and asked an audience, when he unsaid great 
cr - I5 * part of what he had said before (and on which 
account the King had been very much dis- 
pleased with the Duke of Newcastle), and at- 
tributed it to misinformation. I asked her, if 
that could be so ? She replied, she was sure 
of it, and knew it to be true. I observed to her, 
that, notwithstanding this, in the winter, his 
Grace (of Bedford) made a formal attack, and 
a very strong one too, in the House of Lords, 
against the Saxon subsidy. She said, it was 
true, and that then the King was again very 
angry, and told her that the Duke of Bedford 
did not know his own mind. She herself, in- 
deed, had no opinion of his judgement, but said, 
that he was governed by Lord Sandwich, of 
whom she did not think very well; that he had 
made the Duke resign, and that they were, both, 
very much combined, and in intimate corre- 
spondence with the Duke of Cumberland. 
How they managed with the King, she did not 
know, but she thought that they did not mean 
to act, at least, to any purpose now : that their 
views w r ere upon the minority. I said that, in 
this light, it seemed highly imprudent in the 
Duke of Bedford to resign his ofticr, which 
office gave him a settled place in the council 



145 



of Regency. She answered, it was very true 1752. 
— it was Lord Sandwich's doing — but that she ° CT ' I5, 
was satisfied the minority was their point of ac- 
tion. I said, that it was necessary for her Royal 
Highness to look about her a little, and to se- 
cure friends in whom she could trust, to see 
that justice was done unto her in that event, 
not only from that quarter, but from all quarters ; 
for she must have observed, that the present 
government had taken thebest care, they could, 
to secure themselves. She said, Yes, good 
folks! they had not neglected themselves; 
and she would act as I had hinted, not only 
for her own sake, but the sake of her son and 
of the nation. I said that, not knowing what 
part her Royal Highness would take in the Re- 
gency bill, I had prepared myself to oppose it; 
that I should have opposed it in a very different 
manner from those who meddled with it: that 
I would have opposed it upon principles that 
should have made the King himself weary of 
the bill, not as an opposition to his Majesty 
and his Ministers, but as a measure of his Mi- 
nisters to secure their own power at the ex- 
pense, and in the diminution of the power of 
the Crown : and I did believe, that with the 
assistance I was sure of, I could have hung 



146 



1752. 
Oct. 15. 



upon the bill so long, and have shown it in such 
lights, that, at last, the King should have been 
out of humour with it before it passed, as I had 
reason to believe he was since. That, how- 
ever, when I found that she took the party of ac- 
quiescence, which upon consideration (though 
I thought I should hardly have had the pru- 
dence to advise the measure) I was thoroughly 
convinced was much the most wise and ad- 
viseable mode that could be taken; that, then, 
I dropped all show of opposition and did not go 
to the House, that I might not furnish a handle 
to render me obnoxious : that, with the same 
view in the late transaction between Mr. Pelham 
and me, I had made ten steps to their one, so 
that if nothing came of it, they could not say, 
that I was desirous to continue and propagate 
resentments, &c. 



That, I thought, the persons, now in power, 
extremely proper for her to go on with in 
case of a minority, and all that I meant by 
mentioning the Regency bill, was to show, 
that as they had taken all proper precautions 
for their own security, it might not be un- 
reasonable that her Royal Highness should 
keep a look-out, and secure such friends, who, 



147 



though they acted with government, might 1752. 

Oct 1 5 
see that she had her due share of it; for that 

there was such a thing as being great, and at 

the same time inconsiderable; that we might 

be born the one, but must owe our consequence 

to ourselves. That, however, nothing was to 

be done at present, but to sit still and watch 

events: that all was very well, that the King 

was very kind to the royal children, and very 

respectful to her, &c. 

She said, that, in general, she had no objec- 
tion to the Ministry — she, indeed, saw very 
little of them ; but, what she could not excuse 
them for or forgive, was their not doing some- 
thing for the Prince's servants: that after so 
long a time and so many vacancies, taking no 
notice of any one of them, looked as if .hey 
had a studied design to keep old prejudices and 
resentments alive: that she was sure, they 
might assist them if they would; that they 
might have prevailed on the King before now, 
if they had set about it willingly: could they 
pretend, they could not prevail with him in be- 
half of persons who must be indifferent to the 
King, after what they had made him do for 
Pitt? I replied, that I agreed to all she said, 

L2 



148 



1752. w ith relation to their influence over his Majesty, 
where reason was so evidently on their side, 
and I was the more flattered with it, because it 
was my own way of thinking, so much that, if 
nothing should come of what was in agitation 
between me and them, and they should con- 
tinue to hold up the King's personal indis- 
position towards me, I should impute it wholly 
to their want of inclination. She said that, 
notwithstanding what I had mentioned of the 
King's kindness to the children and civility to 
her, those things did not impose upon her — 
that there were other things which she could 
not get over — she wished the King was less 
civil, and that he put less of their money into 
his own pocket : that he got full 30,000/. per 
ann. by the poor Prince's death — if he would 
but have given them the duchy of Cornwall to 
have paid his debts, it would have been some- 
thing. Should resentments be carried beyond 
the grave ? Should the innocent suffer ? Was 
it becoming so great a King to leave his son's 
debts unpaid? and such inconsiderable debts? 
I asked her, what she thought they might 
amount to ? She answered, she had endeavoured 
to know as near as a person could properly in- 
quire, who, not having it in her power, could 



149 



not pretend to pay them. She thought, that 1752. 
to the tradesmen and servants they did not 0cT * 15, 
amount to 90,000/. that there was some money 
owing to the Earl of Scarborough, and that 
there was, abroad, a debt of about 70,000/. 
That this hurt her exceedingly, though she 
did not show it. I said that it was impossible 
to new-make people — the King could not, 
now, be altered, and that it added much to the 
prudence of her conduct, her taking no notice 
of it. She said, she could not however bear it, 
nor help, sometimes, giving the King to un- 
derstand her, in the strongest and most dis- 
agreeable light. She had done it more than 
once, and she would tell me how it happened 
the last time. You know, continued she, that 
the Crown has a power of resumption of Carle- 
ton House and gardens for a certain sum : the 
King had, not long since, an inclination to see 
them, and he came to make me a visit there : 
we walked in the gardens, and he, seemingly 
mightily pleased with them, commended them 
much and told m€ that he was extremely glad 
I had got so very pretty a place: I replied, it 
was a pretty place, but that the prettiness of a 
place was an objection to it, when one was not 
sure to keep it. The King said, that there 



150 



1752. was, indeed, a power of resumption in the 
Oct. 15. Crown for 4000/. but surely, I could not ima- 
gine that it could ever be made use of against 
me ! how could such a thought come into my 
head ? I answered, No, it was not that which 
I was afraid of, but I was afraid there were 
those who had a better right to it, than either 
the Crown or I : He said, Oh, no, no, I do not 
understand that; that cannot be. I replied, I 
did not pretend to understand those things, but 
I was afraid there were such people. He said, 
Oh ! I know nothing of that — I do not under- 
stand it — and immediately turned the discourse, 
I was pleased with the ingenuity of the attack, 
but could not help smiling at the defence, nor 
she either, when she told it. I said that, I 
thought, she had done all that could be expect- 
ed; that prudence required letting this and 
several other matters sleep : that I was con- 
vinced, that the high and just opinion people 
had of her, made them wait with patience. 
She said, they were very good to her; that 
George had no other way of thinking, and 
would, certainly, act accordingly; but yet, 
she durst not let any body have the comfort of 
knowing it, lest they should put every thing 
into a flame: upon which, she observed to me 



151 



the delicacy and ticklishness of her situation. 1752. 
I, then, took the liberty to ask her, what she 0cT ' 15, 
thought the real disposition of the Prince to 
be ? — She said, that I knew him almost as well 
as she did ; that he was very honest, but she 
wished that he was a little more forward, and 
less childish, at his age: that she hoped his 
preceptors would improve him. I begged to 
know what methods they took; what they 
read to him, or made him read; and whether 
he showed a particular inclination to any of 
the people about him. She said, she really 
did not well know what they taught him ; but, 
to speak freely, she was afraid not much : that 
they were in the country and followed their 
diversions, and not much else that she could 
discover : that we must hope it would be better 
when we came to town. I said, that I did not 
much regard books, that what I the most wish- 
ed was, that his Royal Highness should begin 
to learn the usages and knowledge of the world ; 
be informed of the general frame and nature 
of this government and constitution, and of the 
general course and manner of business, without 
his descending into minutias. She said, she 
was of my opinion, and that Stone told her, 
that, when he talked to the Prince upon those 



1752. 
Oct. 15. 



152 

subjects, he seemed to give a proper attention 
and made pertinent remarks : that Stone was 
a sensible man, and capable of instructing in 
things, as well as in books : that Lord Har- 
court and the Prince agreed very well, but she 
thought, that he could not learn much from 
his Lordship : that Scott, in her opinion, was 
a very proper preceptor : but that for the good 
Bishop, he might be, and she supposed he was, 
a mighty learned man, but he did not seem 
to her very proper to convey knowledge to 
children; he had not that clearness which she 
thought necessary: she did not very well com- 
prehend him herself, his thoughts seemed to be 
too many for his words. That she did not ob- 
serve the Prince to take very particularly to any 
body about him, but to his brother Edward, 
and she was very glad of it, for the young peo- 
ple of quality were so ill educated and so very 
vicious, that they frightened her. I told her, 
I thought it a great happiness, that he showed 
no disposition to any great excesses, and begged 
to know what were his affections and passions. 
She repeated that he was a very honest boy, 
and that his chief passion seemed to be for 
Edward. I said that, as her Royal Highness 
had mentioned the negative which the Ministry 



153 



seemed to continue upon the Prince's friends, 1754. 
I presumed to ask her about the young Prince's 0cT * 15, 
affections towards his father's memory; be- 
cause he was, now, bred in a manner, and in 
hands so totally unacquainted with the late 
Prince, and with those who had been about 
him, that he might very easily be brought to 
forget them ; which, I feared, at the first setting 
out in life, would give a very disadvantageous, if 
not a dangerous impression of him : that trifles 
are of consequence in the first outset (par- 
ticularly those that relate to the heart) to Prin- 
ces, whose lightest actions engage the attention, 
and whose elevation exposes them to the con- 
tinual inspection of mankind : that many good 
things lose their gloss at least by untoward 
impressions: that a great deal of power might 
be required to do things, where affection and 
confidence were wanted, which a very little 
might bring about, where they were once esta- 
blished by first and favourable impressions. 
That, for these reasons, I should be extremely 
sorry that his Royal Highness should entirely 
forget those, who had been faithfully attached 
to his father, as that attachment was the only 
reason that could be given to justify the pro- 
scription which they now lie under. She 



154 



1752. 
Oct, 15. 



said, that she agreed with me, that nothing 
could be more advantageous and hurtful to 
him: that it would affect her very sensibly; 
that she had no reason to apprehend it, as the 
Prince seemed to have a very tender regard for 
the memory of his father, and that she en- 
couraged it as much as she could : that when 
they behaved wrong, or idly (as children will 
do) to any that belonged to the late Prince, 
and who are now about her ; she always 
asked them, how they thought their father 
would have liked to see them behave so to any 
body that belonged to him, and whom he 
valued; and that they ought to have the more 
kindness for them, because they had lost their 
friend and protector, who was theirs also; and 
she said, she found that it made a proper im- 
pression upon them. I humbly begged that 
she would cultivate and improve the personal 
influence, which her many virtues, as well as 
natural affection, gave her over the Prince: 
that I was sure, that, from her influence, and 
the settled opinion of her prudence with all 
mankind, all the disinterested and sensible 
amongst us, hoped for a happy settlement of 
the new reign: that I did not mean au- 
thoritatively and during a legal minority, but 



155 



during the very young part of the King's life, 1752. 
and till time and inclination had brought him CT * 1 ' 
thoroughly to weigh and understand what the 
government of a great country was. She ex- 
pressed herself civilly for the regard I testified 
for her, and said she could have nothing so 
much at heart as to see him do well, and make 
the nation happy. N. B. I have forgotten 
something very particular, viz. In expressing 

her dislike to the Princess A a and the 

Duke of Cumberland, she said, that, though 
she did not value those things, nor seem to 
see them, yet she could not but wonder at the 
very little regard which the Duke was pleased 
to show her. That she had been at Kew the 
whole summer, and he had never vouch- 
safed to favour her with one visit. That 
she had been ill for three weeks, not much, 
indeed, but so that the town reports were 
that she was dying; but his Royal High- 
ness never thought her worth sending after, 
even once, to know how she did : she conti- 
nued, that she was very indifferent to these 
matters, but she could not help wondering 
what views were at the bottom of it. I came 
home between ten and eleven, and have been 
the more particular in this conversation, be- 



156 



1752. cause it carries an air of friendship and open- 
ness which I no way expected from a great 
lady, who has established a character for pru- 
dence in not opening herself much to any 
body, and of great caution to whom she opens 
herself at all. 



17. I saw Lord Middlesex, and had a long talk 

with him in presence of Lady Middlesex ; and 
in the evening I sent him a draught of a letter 
from him to the Duke of Dorset, which he will 
not send, nor do any thing, I believe, for him- 
self: if so, he will render it impossible for me 
to do any thing for him. 

22. I went to town with design to go to the 

Prince's drawing-room in black, being in 
mourning for the Countess Temple. After a 
little time, the Earl of Hyndford was so oblig- 
ing as to come and tell me, that he believed, 
I had forgotten that they did not appear in 
mourning that day, it being the coronation- 
day. So I was forced to slip away. I spoke 
to the Solicitor General to consider, how I 
was to open the transaction, between Mr. Pel- 
ham and me, to the Duke of Newcastle. 



157 



I received my draught from Lord Middle- 1752. 
sex, with a letter in a good degree conform- 
able to it, from him to the Duke of Dorset. 
Sent him a draught of another to his mother, 
the Duchess. 

I dined with the Lord Mayor. No coun- Nov - 9- 
sellors, but those of the law, except the Speaker 
and myself. 

Called at the Duke of Dorset's, and deliver- u - 
ed a letter to him, and another for the Duchess, 
from Lord Middlesex. Much conversation to 
induce a relation, but could not obtain a de- 
claration of the conditions on which he would 
be reconciled. He objected to the usage he 
had received, in which he was too well ground- 
ed - 3 and next, to the incapacity he was under 
of paying his son's debts. I told him we were 
not come to that yet — I wished we were, as I 
could point out means very easily, to show 
that those debts were not so formidable, &c. — 
I hinted some. We were now interrupted. 

The King came to town about five o'clock. is. 

I called at the Speaker's, and proposed, upon , g 



158 

1752. supposition he was in the chair of the new 
Nov. 19. Parliament, Dr. Sharpe for his chaplain. I re- 
ceived a general answer of regard for me, and 
esteem for the Doctor. I think, I find that he 
will be Speaker, and I hope he will get some 
reversion for his son as an inducement for him. 

21. Went to the Duke of Newcastle, who re- 
ceived me with very much kindness. I kissed 
the King's hand. 

22. I waited on the Princess, and gave her a 
full account of the transaction about a recon- 
ciliation in the Dorset family. She received 
it with great pleasure, and treated me with 
uncommon condescension. 

26. Mons. Lamberti, the French agent called 

on me. He insisted that the King must go to 
Hanover early in the spring — that the election 
of a King of the Romans was the thing next 
his heart — that, by the Golden Bull, absolute 
unanimity of the Electoral College, as also of 
that of the Princes, was required — that, upon 
those conditions, and satisfaction to her allies 
(the Palatine and Prussia), France would not 
oppose it ; but that she would, without that 



159 



satisfaction — that the pecuniary satisfaction of * 752 " 

r J Nov. 26. 

1,200,000 florins, and the barony to the Pa- 
latine, was settled, but the expectation of Or- 
tenaw was not — that, when Bavaria left France 
for the House of Austria, the recompense was 
fixed by the treaty of Fussen; that we engaged 
for the performance — that a private treaty 
was since signed by the Duke of Newcastle, 
Messrs. Munchausen and Haslang, by which 
we further engaged to make it good — that the 
Bavarian subsidy was to be augmented— that 
of Cologne to be settled. I asked why all 
these things might not be negotiated at Lon- 
don, as well as at Hanover : he replied, be- 
cause the Ministers, who treated those affairs 
there, did not come hither — that these were 
another sort of men, men of business and abi- 
lities, wholly bred for negotiations, and not for 
characters and show— that the German Princes 
also sent thither their confidants and Ministers 
of State, who never came to London as resi- 
dent Envoys — that nothing farther of effect 
could be done here, this winter, in that matter, 
and that all the negotiations would be with 
France about the limits in America j and, as to 
that, they had cart loads of memorials to ex- 
change with us, whenever we pleased. 



160 



1752. 
Nov. 27. 



Kings birth-day kept. Lord Hillsborough 
began a conversation with me at Court. He 
thought there must be some disturbance arise 
from the Pitt party : that, though they were 
so well placed, they were still uneasy : that 
they neither liked others, nor were liked by 
them. I said, I could not conceive that they 
would stir. He said, Yes ; for that Pitt's pas- 
sion was ambition, not avarice— that he was at 
a full stop, as things w r ere, and could have no 
hopes of going farther : he was once popular ; 
and if he could again make a disturbance, and 
get the country on his side, he then might 
have hopes : now, and on the present system, 
he could have none. I replied, I thought 
they could not part with what they had, &c 
&c. He said, they had the Temple pocket- 
that, to his knowledge, they were all as one, 
and would stand and fall with Pitt, as their 
head. Lord Hillsborough wondered that 
they did not break out ; he daily expected it. 
I said that, in all likelihood, if such a scheme 
was on foot, his Lordship would know it as 
soon as any body ; for he must be sensible, 
that it was impossible for them to attempt it, 
without holding out a hand to people, to ex- 
tend and fortify their own connexions, &c 



161 



He said, to be sure, but not to him — that they 1752. 
knew his opinions too well; that, when they x 0> ' 2 ' 
broke from me, he followed me ; that he never 
was more than commonly acquainted with 
Pitt; that Pitt had once dined at his house, 
and they might visit perhaps once in a win- 
ter; that his Lordship loved George Grenville 
personally, but no ways espoused his politics : 
that, for himself indeed, his alliance with Lord 
Kildare naturally led him to Mr. Fox, and that 
he was much more likely to succeed than 
Pitt; that the Pitts could not be quiet, but 
had been dabbling with the Prince, and that 
their plans were prevented by the Prince's 
death, as to be sure, I knew, and Mr. Pelham 
knew : therefore they must be disagreeable to 
each other, and they could have no hopes or 
rising by him. That Mr. Fox had something 
very frank and open about him, and that he 
resolved to push for his turn — not by opposi- 
tion, for he had a family, and could not afford 
to part with his emoluments; but, if accidents 
should happen, he pretended to succeed ; 
that, indeed, Mr. Pelham's life was as good 
as his, and he would not oppose him ; but 
that he should endeavour to be next, and 
would consider himself as such. I asked ; 

M 



162 



1752. whether he held out his hand, &c. His 
Nov. 27. L or( ] s hip said, Yes, to all the world; that it 
was prodigious how many friends he had 
made. He had got the Duke of Cumber- 
land, the Dukes of Marlborough and Bed- 
ford, Lord Sandwich, and the Duke of Rich- 
mond of course. That he was very well with 
Lord Hallifax, who seemed to trim, as near 
as he could, between Mr. Pel ham and him, 
and that now he was endeavouring to get 
Lord Hartington. That, if Mr. Pelham was 
out of the way, he thought that the Duke of 
Newcastle did not like Fox personally, nor 
did the Chancellor. As to Pitt, the King 
himself would be against him. But, said he, 
I think you are not acquainted with Fox. I 
replied, that I had always known him, and 
always liked him very well, but had not con- 
versed much with him of late. He said, he 
wondered at it, and what should be the reason 
of it ? I said, that I fancied it was occasioned 
by the other side, for though I liked Mr. Fox 
very well, it was possible he might not much 
like me. He said, he could not believe it. I 
said, some lies might probably be told him, 
but that I had never deserved ill of him ; if it 
was so, his opinion of me must be, and ought 



163 



to be, extremely indifferent to me. He said, WJ4 

. Nov. 27. 

he had never heard any thing drop from him 
of that kind, and if he had any dislike to me, 
it must be from my pushing Sir Robert Wal- 
pole, for Fox really loved that man. I said, 
surely my breaking with Sir Robert Walpole 
was nothing personal to him; I did it pub- 
licly, at the expense of a considerable em- 
ployment, and what Mr. Fox thought of it 
was, what never did, nor ever could, give me 
any the least concern. Then the conversa- 
tion became general, the beginning of which 
I thought very singular. 

I went to the Duke of Dorset, and ob- 28c 
tained of him, that he would willingly see 
Lord Middlesex, on condition that he would 
form no pretension to have his debts paid, or 
to a seat in Parliament, or to a place. I took 
this down in writing; but I doubt Lord Mid- 
dlesex will not go : if he does, and resolves to 
continue to use all his advantages, he will 
succeed. But it must be the work of time, 
perseverance, and insinuation. 

I delivered the Duke of Dorset's message to 30. 
Lord Middlesex, and gave him an account of 
M 2 



164 



1752. the conversation; I then said what I thought 
Nov. 30. was p r0 p er# 



Dec. 5. Lord Harcourt resigned being Governor to 
the Prince. He offered to do so, unless Mr. 
Stone (placed as Sub-governor by the Mini- 
sters), Mr. Scott, tutor in the late Prince's 
time (but recommended by Lord Boling- 
broke), and Mr. Cresset, made treasurer by 
the Princess's recommendation, were removed. 
The King desired him to consider of it ; but 
Lord Harcourt continuing in the same resolu- 
tion, the Archbishop and Lord Chancellor 
were sent to him, to know the particulars of 
his complaints against those gentlemen. He 
replied that the particulars were fit only to be 
communicated to the King, and accordingly 
he waited on his Majesty, which ended in his 
resignation. The Bishop of Norwich sent his 
resignation by the same Prelate and Lord. 
His reasons, if he gave any, I should have 
known, if a gentleman, who was going to tell 
me, had not been interrupted by company. 



The Duke of Dorset came to tell me that 
Lord Middlesex had written to the Duchess 
for leave to wait on her, and that she had ap- 



165 

pointed to-morrow morning. I hope all will, 1752# 
in time, end well. 

Lord Middlesex informed me that he had 8e 
seen the Duke and Duchess of Dorset ; that 
he was very coldly received by the Duchess, 
and not much better by them both together. 
This is very injudicious in their Graces, but 
his Lordship must persevere. 

Mr. Pelham sent for Cary, the surgeon, on 12. 
pretence of the Westminster election, but, in 
reality, to question him about a letter which 
he had written to Mr. Vane, and which Mr. 
Vane had sent to Mr. Pelham, who inter- 
preted it to insinuate, that I was out of humour 
because nothing was settled or said to me. 
Mr. Pelham said, I must know how much 
this squabble with Lord Harcourt had en- 
grossed their whole time and thought, and 
in a disagreeable manner. That they could 
not be throxving at the King every day; that 
he had the greatest kindness and esteem for 
me, and that a proper person should shortly 
speak to me. 

Went to the Duke of Dorset, and, I think, 17. 



166 



1752. i e ft him disposed to receive his son kindly. I 
saw Lord Middlesex, who, I hope, will make 
a proper use of all opportunities. 



18. Lord Waldegrave declared Governor to the 

Prince* and on the 20th, was sworn of the 
council. 

22. Was with the Duke of Dorset. We talked 

over the affair of the Prince's family, and 
agreed that there must be a counter story of 
the court side, or the resigners would run 
away with the public opinion. I left him, 
still, well disposed to his son. 



28. 



I waited on the Princess : she was pleased 
to send the royal children to prayers, and to 
stay with me. I resolved to avoid mentioning 
all public affairs, on account of the dis- 
turbances, now fresh, in the Prince of Wales's 
family; and therefore, I began by acquainting 
her with what had passed, relating to the re- 
conciliation in the Dorset family, since- 1 had 
seen her Royal Highness. She said, she was 
afraid it would be hard to complete it so, as 
to answer Lord Middlesex's ends entirely; 
and she seemed to be of opinion, that, though 



167 



Lady Middlesex was no ways in fault, and 1752. 

Dec 28 
though neither the Duke nor the Duchess had 

dropped the least word about her; and though 
Lord George had been with Lady Middlesex 
twice, in the same house with her, and never 
once saw, or asked after her, yet she was in- 
clined to think, that Lady Middlesex should 
go to wait on the Duchess. I was glad to 
learn her opinion, for I wanted to know it. 
I replied, that there were oddnesses about 
them, which were peculiar to that family, and 
I had often told them so. She said, there 
was something very odd amongst them, and, 
laughing, added, that she knew but one 
family that was more odd, and she would not 
name that family for the world. I said, it 
did not become me to guess at her Royal 
Highness ; but if it did, I was sure I could 
not guess it in a hundred years. She laughed 
and said, apropos^ there has been fine doings 
in our family ; a very fine bustle indeed ! I 
am glad we are rid of them. I said, it had 
indeed occasioned a great deal of talk. She 
replied, she was quite weary of hearing it ; 
that there was such an outcry at two people's 
leaving them, as if they were the most consi- 
derable men in the nation ; and who occa- 



168 



1752. sioned as much wonder and outcry, two years 
ago, when they came to them, on account of 
their being too unknown to come thither; 
that she knew nothing of the Jacobitism, the 
arbitrary principles, the dangerous notions of 
those who were accused, or any such, at- 
tempted to be instilled into the children; that 
she could not conceive what they meant; 
that the Bishop, indeed, was teaching them 
logic, which, as she was told, was a very odd 
study for children of their age, not to say, of 
their condition. I said that, whatever they 
meant, they both must often, before things 
came to these extremities, have applied to her 
Royal Highness, and have laid before her 
some ostensible reasons, at least, for a ground 
for their resolution to resign, when the King 
returned. She replied, never : — that she knew 
nothing of their intention, till Lord Harcourt 
had been with the King; that the Bishop had, 
several times, given her an account of the 
progress the children made; that he behaved 
in the most flattering and servile manner, in 
the accounts he gave : and then he often in- 
sinuated, that there were those about the 
Prince, who encouraged his Royal Highness 
against him, &c. — that she told him, as the 



169 



truth was, that she was entirely innocent of 1752. 
any such practices herself, and did not know 
of any body who could be accused of it; and 
particularly, could not perceive by the child- 
ren, when they were with her, that any ill 
offices had been done him ; that the last time 
the Bishop had been with her, he complained 
more strongly of being disregarded; he begged 
her protection, showing the great necessity of 
a preceptor's being respected and supported, 
&c. Upon which she told him, that she al- 
ways inculcated in the children to show him 
great respect, and was very far from endea- 
vouring, or even wishing, that it should be 
lessened : and this, says she, not for love of 
you, my Lord, but because it is fitting and 
necessary ; for if they are suffered to want 
respect that is due to one degree, they will 
proceed to want it to another ; till, at last, it 
would come up to me, and I should then have 
taught them to disregard me. This, she said, 
was the last conversation she had with the 
Bishop. I asked her, if she could remember 
when it was : she answered, she thought about 
the end of September, or soon in October. 
That, as to Lord Harcourt, he never took the 
least notice of her ; that she had hardly seen 



170 



1752. 
Dec. 28. 



him, three times, the whole summer, though 
they lived so near together at Ke w : that, when 
he came for the Prince, so far from sending 
in to her, he would stay in the hall ; and 
though pressed to it by the servants, he would 
not come into the picture-room, where we 
always sat, when she was above, till she came 
to us or sent for us up. I asked, if he always 
fetched the Prince home : she said, Yes ; at a 
certain hour. I said, I had heard so, and did, 
indeed, a little wonder in myself, that I had 
never seen Lord Harcourt, when I had the 
honour to play at cards with their Royal 
Highnesses in private - y for as the game could 
not be up to a moment, I thought it natural 
his Lordship should let his Royal Highness 
know that he was below; and I presumed 
she would, as naturally, send for him up : she 
said, to be sure she should; and I might well 
wonder. But so far from that, he never came 
near her : that he had been twice this year in 
Oxfordshire, and that she never knew when 
he went, or when he returned : I then said, 
that I could not conceive, according to the 
common form of things, even though his re- 
solution might be taken, how it was possible 
that he could avoid waiting upon her, to lay 



171 



some reasons before her Royal Highness, by 1752. 
way of expostulation or apology, before the Dec. 28. 
King came home : she said, he never did, 
nothing like it : that, since his return from 
Oxfordshire, the very first time she saw him, 
was at the foot of the stairs at St. James's, the 
night the King came (Nov. 18); that the next 
time, was the birth-day (27th) in the private 
rooms ; that he endeavoured to avoid her, but 
she got between the door and him, and took 
him by the coat, and said, he was very fine : 
he said, Madam, it is all the manufacture of 
Spitalfields, and so walked off. That, the 
Tuesday before, he had been with the King, 
to represent that her children were in the 
way of imbibing dangerous notions, &c. 
That he had no authority, and could do no 
good, unless Stone, Cresset, and Scott were 
dismissed; that they were Jacobites, &c. and 
had been bred so, they and their families. I 
said, this charge upon their families and edu- 
cation made me smile ; for that, though I had 
a personal regard for Lord Harcourt, and did 
steadfastly believe, that he was as faithful a 
servant and subject, as any the present family 
on the Throne had : yet I was sorry to say, 
that I remembered his predecessor, following 



172 



1752. 
Dec. 28. 



the Oxford Circuit, a very poor, but reckoned 
a very shrewd lawyer; which shrewdness in 
the poor professor, as he rose, had justice 
done it, and was called genius and abilities as 
it really was; for he was very able, very skil- 
ful, and more eminent by his talents and ca- 
pacity than by his post. But, till the last 
years of his life, he was always esteemed a 
thorough Jacobite: he even stands impeached 
upon these principles, and though not pro- 
ceeded against, he is excepted in several acts 
of grace. That I was sure, Lord Harcourt 
abhorred those principles, and would, with 
cheerfulness, risk every thing for this royal 
family; but I thought it strange that people 
should not allow conversion to be as natural 
and sincere in other families, as we had hap- 
pily experienced it in his ; and that, upon the 
whole, I could not imagine what they meant 
by this whole transaction, as to the matter, 
and yet less, as to the manner. She said, that, 
however it was, the King was very well pleased 
with them ; but that she could easily guess 
what they meant. I said, that now I was 
serious in assuring her Royal Highness that I 
could not guess. She replied, one might 
guess by their falling upon Mr. Cresset, who 



173 



had no more to do with the Prince's education, 1752. 
than I had; that they had a design to get his Ec ' 28, 
place for another, and she thought it was for 
Lord Talbot's brother ; but as the King took 
her recommendation, now Cresset was to be 
brought into the quarrel; that these gentle- 
men were leagued with some greater people, 
whom she need not name to me, to get the 
Prince to their side ; and then, by their beha- 
viour, to throw her off from her temper, and 
so make their complaints to the King stronger, 
and then to make her disoblige his Majesty, 
in defending the accused; not doubting, if 
thEy could once force her into any indiscreet 
warmth, to make so plausible a story to the 
King, as might compass their design ; which 
is, to carry the Prince into those other hands 
at last, by taking him from the people now 
about him, and by degrees, consequently, 
from her. This failing, behold the next 
step — the Bishop comes to take his leave of 
me, and with abundance of fawning and 
flattery, thanks me for all my goodness to 
him, and all the regard 1 had been pleased to 
show him, &c. when he was in the family ; 
hoping that I would believe, that he left it 
like an honest man. I replied, continued she, 



174 



1752. 
Dec. 28. 



that, for the regard I had shown him, or any 

services I had done him, he owed me no 

obligation ; it was no more than was his due, 

and what I should always pay to any body, 

whom the King was pleased to put about my 

children in the same station — that as to the 

motives of his leaving the family, as I was not 

acquainted with them, I could say nothing 

about them. Then, said she, comes my Lord 

of Harcourt, and he, in a drier way than the 

Bishop, takes his leave, by thanking me for 

the favours and support he had received from 

me while he was in the family: and in return, 

I thanked his Lordship for the constant c&re 

and attendance he had bestowed upon my 

sons. I replied to her Royal Highness, that 

I was surprised at the whole before, by what 

I had heard from the public talk ; but that, 

now, I was astonished. She said, she thought 

she had some little reason to take it ill, that 

such grievous complaints should be made of 

managements about her son, without giving 

her the least previous intimation of them; 

that Lord Harcourt complained strongly to 

the King of dangerous notions, and arbitrary 

principles being instilled into the Prince; and 

that he could be of no use, unless the instillers 



175 



of that doctrine, Stone, Cresset, and Scott, 1752. 
were dismissed. That, as he named no par- 
ticulars, the King had sent the Archbishop 
and the Chancellor to command Lord Har- 
court to acquaint them with the particulars ; 
that his Lordship's answer was, that the par- 
ticulars were fit only to be communicated to 
the King, and that he would wait on his Ma- 
jesty with them. (All this I knew before.) 
That he did so, and that she had since talked 
with the King, and his Majesty told her, that 
Lord Harcourt had only run over the same 
general topics again, without entering into 
any particulars at all : that the King had 
assured her of this, and she believed, he had 
told her the truth. But, continued she, they 
have missed their ends, for the King was in 
very good humour with her and the children, 
and imputed nothing to them in this whole 
transaction. I said, that I was extremely 
pleased her Royal Highness had not been 
thrown off her temper by this behaviour, con- 
sidering how offensive it was, how deep it was 
laid, and who were at the bottom of it ; for 
that I, particularly, and, I believed, all good 
men placed their chief hopes in the Prince -V 
continuing in her hands and under her direr- 



176 

1752. tion, and in preserving that influence over 
him, which was justly due to her, as well from 
her prudence, as from nature — she replied, 
they would not find it easy to make her lose 
her temper. I told her of an anonymous 
letter sent to Dr. Newton, a popular preacher, 
of St. George's, setting forth the dangerous 
way the Prince's education was left in, and, 
after touching on the Doctor's popularity, 
concluding by putting it to him as a duty to 
take notice of it in the pulpit. She had not 
heard of it, and seemed at a loss to guess what 
it meant. I said, the only meaning I could 
give it was, though perhaps with too much 
refinement, that they had or would write 
anonymous letters to the same purpose, to 
forty or fifty of the London clergy; in hopes 
that, among so many, one hot-headed fellow 
might be found, who would take fire at it, 
and endeavour to distinguish himself by trying 
to raise a flame about it. But I did not think 
proper to tell her Royal Highness of another 
anonymous letter, which was sent to General 
Hawley, on Wednesday the 20th inst. which, 
when it was opened, contained nothing to 
him, but was a sort of a representation or 
remonstrance to the King from the Whig no- 



• 



177 



bility and gentry; setting forth (as may be 1752# 
seen in my papers No. 9) their great concern 
and apprehensions for the Prince's education 
from the hands in which he now is; their 
dissatisfaction at the manner in which the 
power of the crown was lodged ; that, indeed, 
some of those who, by their offices, were 
called Ministers, and ought to be so, were 
sometimes tumbled and tossed about, but that 
there was a permanence of power placed in 
three men, whom they looked upon as dan- 
gerous; and that these men entirely trusted, 
and were governed by two others; one of 
whom had the absolute direction of the Prince, 
and was of a Tory family, and bred in arbi- 
trary principles; and the other, who was bred 
a professed Jacobite of a declared Jacobite 
family, and whose brother, now at Rome, was 
a favourite of the Pretender, and even his Se- 
cretary of State. In short, the corollary was, 
that Murray (Solicitor General) and Stone, 
governed this country. This letter was sent 
to General Hawley with an intent, no doubt, 
that he should immediately carry it to the 
Duke, that his Royal Highness might lay it 
before the King, and make what first im- 
pressions he could. Whether the General did 

N 



178 



1752. so, I don't know, but I do not suspect him of 
so much finesse; but what is certain, is, that 
he sent it or carried it to the Secretary of 
State, who laid it before the King. What 
was the effect, I can't tell ; but I know they 
were very much intrigued to find out whence 
it came, and who was the author. 

1753. Mr. Furnese called on me, and from a con- 
versation with the Solicitor General, brings me 
new proofs of the King's indisposition towards 
me. 

9. The Bishop of Peterborough made Precept- 

or to the Prince of Wales. 

20. I had a long conversation with Mr. Vane 

about our negociation with the court, and he 
seemed to think it much for their interest to 
agree with us. He expressed great apprehen- 
sions of the Duke and his party. 

25. The Princess sent for me — I found her with 

the Ladies Augusta and Elizabeth — we began 
with talking of the reconciliation in the Dorset 
family: from that, she spoke of the Prussian 
memorial, of which I gave her my sentiments, 



179 



which were, that it was, no doubt, meant to be 1753. 
very offensive, not only in matter, but in man- AN ' 25 ' 
ner : for that, through the whole, there is no 
mention made of the King, but the represen- 
tation is made to the nation and to the Mi- 
nistry, which I thought highly indecent — she 
replied, she thought it perplexed them very 
much — I said, it must do so, from the difficulty 
of finding a way to resent the affront. She 
said, if we did resent it, that Hanover was 
open, and the King of Prussia could do what 
he pleased with it, as easily as I could come 
into the garden where we were, from my ter- 
race. I replied, he had taken an imprudent 
occasion to insult the King, because the pre- 
sent quarrel was upon a point purely English, 
without the least mixture of German, and 
could not be resented on the Electorate with- 
out alarming every Prince in Germany. That 
the King of Prussia must know, that the House 
of Austria watched with impatience to recover 
Silesia : that he was less a match for Vienna, 
than Hanover was for him ; that I knew, he 
wanted a war, because he felt his country sink- 
ing under the number of troops, which he kept 
in it, in time of peace. That I did not think 
France was in a condition, or in the disposition 
N 2 



180 



1753. 
Jan. 25. 



to enter into a war immediately, and, if he was 
not very sure France would, that he played 
very deep and very dangerously indeed. This 
part, as well as the rest, of the conversation 
which was long, being carried on in the cold 
air, the Princess muffled up, and mostly speak- 
ing low that the children might not hear it; 
I shall choose to throw the principal parts to- 
gether, as shortly and as clearly as I can, 
though not exactly in the order they were 
spoken, but as much in the words as I can re- 
collect — the Duchess of Devonshire's assem- 
bly, of last Monday, was mentioned; from 
thence Mr. James Pelham's of last night, 
which was professedly for hazard, and for the 
Ministry and Court. She expressed great dis- 
like at playing publicly at forbidden games : 
she spoke, reasonably and warmly, of the ill- 
example and encouragement it gave to all sorts 
of dissipation, &c. &c. I agreed with her, 
and mentioned the precautions, which Lord 
Treasurer Godolphin used, to conceal his pas- 
sion for play, though he practised it to the 
last : (but added, to change the discourse) that 
it was but once a year, at a relation's house ; 
that they had little to do, for all Parliament 
opposition was over ; no body attended, and 



181 



therefore it was natural that they should amuse l753 - 
themselves a little. She said, Yes, all seemed 
to be quiet now, but how long would it con- 
tinue so ? they never were in so ticklish a si- 
tuation, as at present : that they were fright- 
ened three years ago, but with very little or no 
reason ; that now they had reason ; they must 
know it and feel it, and she was amazed they 
did not look out for assistance and friends 
whom they could depend upon, but that their 
cowardice would be their ruin. I said, I won- 
dered at it too, that their own real friends and 
dependants were very much narrowed ; but at 
the same time, she would please to consider, 
that it was not easy for them to make new con^ 
nexions ; for people of rank and real efficiency, 
who were unengaged and truly neuters, were 
but few ; and against almost every one of those 
few, either from false representations or ca- 
price, the King had taken prejudices, which 
the Ministers did not care, or did not dare to 
combat, which, I supposed, was the occasion 
of their not strengthening themselves. She 
said, with great warmth, that, when they 
talked to her of the King, she lost all patience,, 
for she knew it was nothing: that, in these 
great points, she reckoned the King no more. 



182 



1753. than one of the trees we walked by (or some- 
thing more inconsiderable, which she named), 
but that it was their pusillanimity which would 
make an end of them. I said, that it was, in- 
deed, surprising ; and if they were willing to 
accept of assistance, which I was confident 
they really wanted, and would not, I was much 
concerned for them : because, to be sure, in 
great things the King must comply with what 
was reasonable. For instance, Madam, to put 
a Lady of your Bedchamber, or a Groom of 
the Stole, about your Royal Highness, with 
whom you must live ; or your Private Trea- 
surer, who must enter into all your little do- 
mestic, personal details, I ought to consult 
your inclinations, nay, even your caprice: 
but to recommend one of your Receivers in 
Cornwall, your interest and the facility bf your 
service ought only to be considered, and you 
ought not to be indulged in rejecting him, by 
having taken unfavourable impressions against 
him, because it would render your service im- 
practicable ; and all, so rejected, must believe 
that I never meant to serve them, or that I had 
no interest with you, and should not, long, be 
able to support myself. She said, it was most 
certainly so, the King was nothing in these 






183 



things ; and every body would drop from them, 17#£. 
one by one, on account of their own cowardice. 
I told her that, surely, she had a right to insist 
upon their acting otherwise, considering the 
great support she had given them in the late 
ticklish, family transaction. She said, she had 
done them service ; but it signified nothing, if 
they would not help themselves. I replied, it 
was great pleasure tome, to find that her Royal 
Highness favoured those gentlemen ; because, 
for my own part, I really liked and esteemed 
them, much more than any, who might proba- 
bly, and who were, now, endeavouring to, suc- 
ceed them ; and because I was desirous to live 
with, and support them : that I knew nothing 
of particulars, but that I spoke the language 
of the town, in saying, that she had very 
greatly and usefully espoused their cause, and, 
therefore, that she ought to have great weight 
with them. She said, she was afraid the town 
said more of it, than she desired; that the 
truth was, it was certainly hers, and her fa- 
mily's business, to keep well with the King, and 
consequently to countenance those Ministers 
he employed, and she had done so; but she 
did not understand that she was bound to them 
so, as to be in their hands. I replied, that this 



184 



1755. was the difficulty, and that it was hard to avoid 
Jan. 25. f a ]ii n g i n t the hands of either one side or the 
other ; it was a ticklish situation : and here I 
stopped. She said, she had helped them, and 
was astonished at their cowardice, in not mak- 
ing new friends. What ground did they stand 
upon ? Could they doubt, but that her good 
brother and sister were, the whole day long, 
doing them all imaginable mischief at St. 
James's ? That, while they were lessening 
every favourable thing, they were heightening 
and exaggerating every unfavourable one ? 
The Duke of Bedford stirring Heaven and 
Earth in the country; opening his house and 
courting every body in town ? What would 
become of them ? Every body would leave 
them by degrees, on account of their pusillani- 
mity. I said, I was very sorry for their inac- 
tion, for that her Royal Highness would please 
to observe that, to people, who by their situ- 
ation are thrown into politics ; action, in that 
case, is what life is to the body : we cannot 
cease to live for a time, and then, take up life 
again : so in politics, we must act in some 
way or another, and we cannot cease action 
for a time, and then take it up again. That 
I wished the present Ministry unfeignedly 



r 



185 



well, and was desirous to employ all my ere- *753. 
dit and friends in their service ; that, besides, 
my friends and their interest, I would un- 
dertake to choose five members for them, 
without putting them to a shilling expense, 
or desiring them to make a tide-waiter : that 
I thought much, if not their all, depended on 
a new Parliament, and I was willing to give 
them my poor assistance, as her Royal High- 
ness had espoused their cause ; and as I was, 
in my opinion and inclination, made more 
prepossessed in their favour, than for any 
body, who was in any likelihood to succeed 
them. Here ended all that was material. I 
am at a loss to guess, why this great lady 
presses conversations of this nature upon me ; 
I neither attempt, nor deserve her confidence, 
nor am I so low, as to be fond of half-confi- 
dences. I think she must become nothing, 
by either siding with the Ministry or the 
Duke. A third party, of her own, is her 
only resource in case of a minority, but where 
she will find that party, may be difficult; 
and whether she will find resolution to at- 
tempt it or to support it, may still be more 
difficult. It may, possibly, be her wisest 
party, and, probably, the party she has or 
will shortly take, to take hands privately with 



186 



1753, 
Jan. 25. 



Feb. 1 



the Duke of Cumberland, and, instigated 
by the timidity of the Ministers, agree with 
him and repeal the Regency bill, and be thus 
sole regent in appearance, and he in effect. 
This I think certain, that, if they do not im- 
mediately remove the Duke from the army, 
and with eclat, he will overpower both her 
and the Ministry, who will probably think of 
struggling when it is too late, but who will 
not, I think, dare to strike when it might be 
easy and decisive. 

I went to the House to vote for the liberty 
to import Champaign in bottles. Lord Hills- 
borough moved it •> Mr. Fox seconded it. We 
lost the question — ayes 74, noes 14 1. 

I waited on the Princess and saw her alone. 
I entertained her with town talk, and plea- 
santries that had passed where I dined. She 
began, at once, by saying she had good news 
to tell me • that they were very happy in their 
family ; that the new Bishop gave great satis- 
faction; that he seemed to take great care, 
and in a proper manner : and that the child- 
ren took to him, and seemed mightily pleased. 
I said I was very glad that all their Royal 
Highnesses were pleased with the Bishop, 
whom I did not know by sight ; but that she 



187 



would give me leave to hope, that they were 1753. 
all very well pleased with the new Governor Feb ' 8 * 
also, who was my very good friend, and for 
whom I had a very great regard. She replied, 
yes, indeed; that she was but little acquainted 
with him, but, from all she saw, she had a 
very good opinion of him ; that he was very 
well bred, very complaisant, and attentive, 
&c. and the children liked him extremely ; 
but, says she, I look upon a Governor as a 
sort of pageant, a man of quality for show, 
&c. I stick to the learning as the chief 
point: you know how backward they were, 
when we were together, and I am sure, you 
don't think them much improved since. It 
may be, that it is not, yet, too late to acquire 
a competence, and that is what I am most 
solicitous about ; and if this man, by his 
manner, should hit upon the means of giving 
them that, I shall be mightily pleased. The 
Bishop of Norwich was so confused, that one 
could never tell what he meant, and the child- 
ren were not at all pleased with him. I said, 
that the whole transaction was a very odd 
thing, that, certainly, there must be some 
bottom to it, which we at a distance could 
not discern. She replied, she thought so; 



188 



1753. that the stories about the history of the Pere 
(TOrleans were false : the only little dispute, 
between the Bishop and Prince Edward, was 
about le Pere Perefix's history of Henry the 
IVth, and that was nothing at all to produce 
such consequences. That there must be po- 
litics at the bottom : that there was a story of 
the Bishop's having said, that Murray, (the 
Solicitor General), when he was first appointed, 
told him that Lord Harcourt was only a cy- 
pher; that, as he (the Bishop) had parts and 
abilities, he might easily get the whole into 
his own hands, and at the same time advised 
him not to omit so fair an opportunity : that 
she believed it was a lie, but if it was true, the 
Bishop must be a bad man to betray the pri- 
vate advice of a friend. I said, I was most 
confident it was false : that Mr. Murray had 
too much sense to meddle at all, with what 
did not belong to him; but if he had done 
it (which I could never believe) I was sure it 
could only be in favour of his friend, Stone, 
with whom he was closely connected : that I 
looked upon Mr. Murray to be a very eminent 
man, and much the most able and efficient of 
all those, who were openly and honourably 
attached to the Ministry. She said, it was 



189 

very likely; she thought they had very few 1753. 
friends, and wondered at their not getting EB * 
more, and that it was their cowardice only 
which hindered them : that, if they talked of 
the King, she was out of patience ; it was as 
if they should tell her, that her little Harry 
below would not do what was proper for him 5 
that just so, the King would sputter and make 
a bustle, but when they told him that it must 
be done from the necessity of his service, he 
must do it, as little Harry must when she 
came down. I replied, I was sincerely sorry, 
not for the present, but that I apprehended 
this want of real, attached, and declared 
friends might produce ugly consequences and 
contests, in case of a demise. She said, it was 
to be apprehended, but she could not help it. 
I said, that they ought, for her sake, and from 
what they owed her, to think of those con- 
sequences. She answered, they owed her 
nothing ; that in regard to the last disturb- 
ances in the family, she protested, she knew 
no more than she had told me — that she never 
conceived it would come to an open rupture: 
and again protested that when she heard that 
Lord Harcourt had been with the King, on 
his arrival, to resign, she was as ignorant of 



• 



190 



1753. 
Feb. 8. 



it, and as much surprised at it, as I could be : 
that what had been done since, in the re- 
placing them, was done in the puzzled way 
which I knew, and in which she had very- 
little or no share ; and that, for the Ministers, 
she had never seen them in her life. Madam, 
says I, your Royal Highness will forgive me, 
but if I had not catched myself, I was just 
going to say, Lord, Madam ! what do you 
mean ? — I mean, answered she, just as I say ; 
the only way I could see them in the Prince's 
time, I don't call seeing them ; and since that 
time I have never seen the Duke of Newcastle, 
what I should call more than once, but as I 
am speaking to you with great exactness, it 
was twice ; and I have not seen Mr. Pelham 
at all — no, not once. The Duke was, once, 
here, with the Archbishop and the Chancellor, 
upon some formality ; and last year, when 
the King was out of the way, he stole over to 
Kew, to take his leave, but has never been 
here, since his return, though almost every 
body has, as Lady Yarmouth, Munchausen, 
Lord Anson, &c. Mr. Pelham has behaved 
better, and always very civilly : he had not 
the same reasons; he might indeed at first, 
before our money matters were settled, have 



191 



taken that occasion to come; but as he did 1753. 
not do it, he has had no call ; and fears, I EB ' S ' 
suppose, the King's jealousies and suspicions, 
who is never without them. When the Duke 
of Newcastle was with me, I very strongly 
testified my surprise to him, that he should 
neglect such a body of the late Prince's ser- 
vants ; that, though they had wished me and 
my part of the family, better than any other 
party ; yet, as that was over, and they were 
willing to come under him, surely some of 
them were worth accepting. If they were 
not to be rewarded for their attachment, it 
was surely strange that they were to have an 
exclusion put upon them for it. He shuffled 
and hesitated upon this ; but at last said, to 
be sure it should be thought of, and brought 
about. I said, it was indeed surprising ; for, 
that those gentlemen, instead of having ac- 
quired any merit by their services, were not 
even allowed the fair play that they would 
have had, if they had never entered into the 
service of the Royal family : I thought it very 
disadvantageous, because, in case of a demise, 
that all would be to be done, which ought to 
have been long settled, and ready to be done, 
io case of accidents. She said, that the Duke 



192 



1753. 
Feb. 8. 



durst not come near her for fear of her sister 
Amelia. I asked her, if she thought he could 
be ignorant of her dislike to him, even to in- 
veteracy. She answered, no ; but still he was 
afraid of her. That he had once, since he 
came, got leave to see her, but on condition 
that somebody should be in the room : but 
that, in the case I mentioned, she should soon 
enough have him trotting on all fours to her. 
That she had nothing to do with them : could 
they believe, if the time ever came, that she 
should forget those whom she had mentioned 
to them? — that she should forget, what she 
ought most to remember, from duty, from in- 
terest, and from gratitude? She could not 
help it — it must be alors, comme alors. Per- 
haps the fewer engagements she was under 
the better. Thus ended this other very sin- 
gular conversation. 



J1 * Mr. Glover dined with me, who read his 

tragedy of Medea. 

12. The Duke of Bedford moved for Nova 

Scotia papers very ably. 



Iv>, 



The cabinet met, and sat late, on the 



193 

strange imputation of Bishop Johnson's, 1753. 
Messrs. Stone's and Murray's being Jacobites, EB ' 15 ' 
and having drunk the Pretender's health at 
Vernon's, the linen-draper's, about twenty 
years ago. They got but half through, and 
will sit again to-morrow. 

Lord Ravensworth's extraordinary commit- 23, 
tee ended, which began the 15th inst. and sat 
seven nights. 

I went to Lord Hobart's concert, which is 26, 
extremely good, and perfectly well under- 
stood. The cabinet met to settle the report 
to be made to the King upon Messrs. Stone's 
and Murray's affairs, of which more here- 
after. 

I waited upon the Princess, who was Mar. 3. 
pleased to inform me, that Mr. Stone was 
determined to prosecute Mr. Fosset for de- 
famation ; that his counsel were the Attorney 
Genera], Mr. Hume Campbell, Mr. Ford, and 
Sir Richard Floyd. I said, though I was in 
no connexion with Mr. Stone that entitled 
me to call him friend, yet I had long known 
and observed him ; that I had a real esteem 








194 

1753. for him, and thought him very honest and 
i ar. 3. yer y aD j e ^ an( j i was convinced, that the King 

had not a more faithful subject, nor one more 
truly affectionate to every branch of the Royal 
Family ! that upon this foot, I was not with- 
out apprehensions of bringing such an affair 
into a Court of Justice. Failure, in the least 
circumstance of proof; tampering with evi- 
dence or juries, &c. made me a little uneasy. 
She replied, she was so too, but they would 
have it so : that Stone had behaved very well 
to her, and to the children 5 that, though it 
would be treason if it was known, yet he al- 
ways spoke of the late Prince with great 
respect, and with great civility of all those 
whom he knew the Prince had a real value 
for. That Lord Harcourt behaved very dif- 
ferently; that he not only behaved very ill to 
her, but always spoke to the children of their 
father, and of his actions, in so disrespectful a 
manner, as to send them to her almost readv 
to cry; and that he did all he could to alienate 
them from her, insomuch, that they them- 
selves were sensible of it ^ and that George 
had mentioned to her once, since Lord Har- 
court's departure, that he was afraid he had I 
not behaved to her, sometimes, so well as he 



195 

ought, and wondered how he could be so 17.53. 
misled y to which she answered, no, but that, - ** 3 ' 
now and then, not with quite so much com- 
plaisance, as a young gentleman should use to 
a lady. I said, I flattered myself she would 
find a very different behaviour in Lord Walde- 
grave. She said, yes indeed; that she liked 
very well all she saw of him. I hinted that this 
whole thing seemed much deeper laid than at 
Murray and Stone, and that it struck at the 
Pelhams. She said, most certainty — they 
must be blind if they did not see it, and the 
greatest cowards alive, if they did not resent 
it: that, now, was the time: and they were 
undone, if they neglected the opportunity: 
she repeated, they were undone; that the 
King took the thing highly in their favour, 
and talked of it as the most unworthy attack, 
and told her that Stone had served him faith- 
full v these twenty vears, and that he knew all 
that he himself knew : that if he was a Peer, 
''very body would think him proper to be 
S.-cn'tary; that his Majesty had been with 
her an hour and held this sort of conversa- 
tion. I said, I was happy the King had taken 
so favourable an impression 5 that 1 hoped and 
believed it would hist: but, however, that it 
o 2 



196 



1753. 
Mar. 3- 



should be made use of, while it was so strong* 
because it was possible it might cool; con- 
sidering, as her Royal Highness herself had 
been pleased to observe to me, who those per- 
sons were, who were always about the King at 
St. James's, and that the Ministry had nobody 
there. She said, to be sure : they must strike 
while the iron was hot, or be ruined: that she 
had told Stone so, who said, they had pro- 
mised to do what was proper: and that she 
had replied, Mr. Stone, it is actions, now, and 
not words that must be expected : that she 
had seen her great, great fat friend (the Duke) 
who talked to her about it, and asked her if 
she did not think it a very disagreeable affair: 
that she answered, yes, but that she did not 
regard it. He asked her, if she was not very 
sorry it happened : that she replied, not at all, 
if the Ministers would make a proper use of 
it. She told me then, that Murray had be- 
haved with spirit, and made an exceeding 
good speech, of which she gave me a detail as 
far as she remembered, and particularly took 
notice that he had marked strongly that it 
was not he nor Stone that were principally 
struck at, but that it went home to the 
Ministry. 



197 



I went to a cause at council ; the Solicitor, 1753 - 

Mar. 6. 

who was for the appellant, left the reply to the 
Attorney, during which we had a conversa- 
tion, wherein he acquainted me with his be- 
haviour; that he was brought in by implica- 
tion only; that Stone was principally meant 
and named by Lord Ravensworth, who, from 
what Fosset had said to him in private conver- 
sation, came up and insisted that Stone should 
be dismissed, and that so peremptorily to the 
Duke of Newcastle, that he was obliged to 
lay it before the King, who slighted it: but 
Stone insisted with him, to have it examined 
into, which gave occasion to the bringing it 
before the council. When he (Murray) heard 
of this, he sent a message to the King, humbly 
to acquaint his Majesty, that, if he should be 
called before such a committee, on so scan- 
dalous and injurious an account, he would re- 
sign his office and would refuse to answer — 
that the King highly approved of it — that 
when it was over, and Stone had been heard, 
he thought proper to demand an audience, 
and made a speech, part of which lie repeated 
to me. It was full of spirit, and charged the 
matter home, as a deep-laid combination 
against the Ministry, &c. I said, everybody 



198 



1753. 
Mar. 6. 



saw it in the same light, and thought, that if 
they did not act, they were undone : that the 
King was now in the most favourable disposi- 
tion ; but how long it would last, might be 
doubted, considering who were nearest to 
him, and that there was nobody to parry for 
the Ministers. That I had some reasons to 
think the Princess was much alarmed at their 
inactivity : that,j unless they could show they 
had strength of friends to second her, how 
could she support them ? That I had it from 
coffee-houses, that the design was to end in 
repealing the Regency act, and making the 
Duke regent ; that (if they did not represent 
strongly to the King, that, if he liked the ab- 
solute tranquillity of the two houses, he must 
leave it to them to make use of such instru- 
ments, as they thought proper, to continue it) 
they were ruined. The Solicitor approved of 
all I said, step by step, in very strong terms. 
He seemed much alarmed at the repeal of the 
Regency bill, and said, that all I said was true; 
that they must act or be undone : they them- 
selves knew it, and he thought they certainly 
would act, and he particularly approved of 
what I proposed should be said to the 
Kiri£ 



199 

We went to see the manufacture of tapestry 1 



( j j, 



from France, now set up at Fulham by the AU ' 8 
Duke. The work, both of the gobelins and of 
chaillot, called savonnerie, is very fine, but 
very dear. 

Mr. Pelham, Mr. Vane, Mr. Furnese and I 16. 
dined together, by appointment, at Mr. Vane's. 
The offer of our thorough attachment, in re- 
turn for Mr. Pelham's thorough friendship 
and protection in bringing us into court, was 
renewed, and my views of meaning to support 
their power, and not sharing it as a Minister, 
was explained. Mr. Pelham, in a very frank 
and honourable manner, declared his real de- 
sire and inclination to accept our friendship, 
and return his own: that, if his friendship was 
sufficient to effect the whole, he would with 
pleasure engage for the whole: but that he 
could not answer for the King, whose pre- 
judices were very strong against me, and 
chiefly, for my having quitted his services for 
his son's, &c. but that every thing in his 
power he would do to remove them, to make 
way for a measure? so truly agreeable to him. 
I then entered into a detail (which I offered to 
prove) of the injustice and unreasonableness 



200 



1753. f these prejudices, and then said, that from 

Mar. \6. r J ' a 

this long account, he might naturally expect 

a request to enter into a justification, either 
by myself or by him : but that I did not desire 
to justify with the King. That all I desired 
him to say to the King was, that, though it 
was never in my intention to offend his Ma- 
jesty, it was sufficient that he was displeased, 
for me to think myself to blame ; and that, to 
induce him to forgive me, I humbly offered 
him my services and all the interest I had in 
the House, and out of it, for the rest of my 
life. I added, that I thought this submission 
and this offer of five members at least, should 
be sufficient to wipe away impressions, even 
if I had been a declared Jacobite. He said, it 
was all that could be said, and all should be 
made of it, that his credit could make. But 
that, if it should be practicable, and I should 
be in any station, and the King should not be 
prevailed on to behave tome as I might justly 
expect, I might grow uneasy and be dissatis- 
fied, as in the case of Pitt ; to whom they 
could never persuade the King to appear com- 
monly civil. I answered, No, not in the least, 
lie said, Yes, I might fancy so, and he be- 
lieved I should. I replied, that I answered 



201 



with certainty, because I had considered and I753 - 
made up my mind about that. That all 1 
wished of the King was, to make me over to 
him (Pelham), to let him dispose of me, as he 
thought fit, and suffer him to receive my 
friendship, attachment, and services. That I 
desired by no means to encroach upon his 
Majesty's time, or thoughts, or behaviour, 
provided he would give him (Pelham) leave to 
employ me, for his Majesty's service, in the 
way that was most agreeable to him. That I 
would give him my reasons with the utmost 
freedom ; which were, that, indeed, if I was a 
new man, and in any station, I should, in 
paying my court, expect that sort of civil re- 
turn which was my due : but after such un- 
worthy prejudices, and so void of all founda- 
tion taken against me, I should never desire 
any conversation or intercourse with his Ma- 
jesty, more than a distant, but profound re- 
spect on my side, and that, as seldom as was 
consistent with the duty of a most faithful and 
respectful subject. Upon the whole, Mr. 
Pelham behaved in so open and noble a man- 
ner, as to choose to make it plain, ten times 
at least (though he did not make use of the 
expressions precisely), that I should rather see 



202 



j 753. that he wanted power, than have any doubt 
Mar. 16. c £ |jj s s i ncer ity, if it did not succeed; and 
that the doubt of his strength and power alone, 
hindered him from promising positively to 
effect it : and therefore, if I judge this right, 
I am obliged to him, and am determined to 
be his friend, whether it succeeds or not. 

22. Went to the House of Lords, the Duke of 

Bedford opened the affair of Fosset's report 
against the Bishop of Gloucester, Stone and 
Murray, and appealed to Lord Ravensworth, 
who opened the whole transaction in a long 
narrative. Then the Duke, in a long speech, 
founded his question upon that narrative, 
which, in substance, was to address the King 
for the whole proceeding before the council : 
The Chancellor and Duke of Newcastle an- 
swered him, and to make this question (which 
was foreseen, and I think needed not to be so 
timorously apprehended) tl>e more unneces- 
sary, they had obtained of the King to dis- 
pense with the oath of those Lords of the 
council upon this occasion, and to suffer 
them to acquaint the House with the whole 
proceeding, which those two Lords did pretty 
much at lar^e. The debate was lone: and 



203 



heavy; the Duke of Bedford's performance M 1753 ; 
moderate enough ; he divided the House, but 
it was not told, for there went below the Bar 
with him, the Earl Harcourt, Lord Townshend, 
the Bishop of Worcester, and Lord Talbot 
only. The Bishop of Norwich and Lord 
Harcourt both spoke, not to much purpose; 
but neither of them, in the least, support- 
ed the Duke's question. Upon the whole, 
it was the worst judged, the worst executed, 
and the worst supported point, that I ever 
saw of so much expectation. 

I will now set down in writing the exact 
truth of this strange, important trifle. 

Mr. Fosset, Messrs. Murray and Stone, 
were much acquainted, if not school-fellows, 
in early life. Their fortune led them different 
ways : Fosset's was to be a country lawyer 
and recorder of Newcastle. Johnson, now 
Bishop of Gloucester, was one of their asso- 
ciates. On the day the King's birth-day was 
kept, they dined at the Dean of Durham's, at 
Durham ; this Fosset, Lord Ravensworth, 
Major Davison, and one or two more, who 
retired after dinner into another room; the 



204 



1753. conversation turning upon the late Bishop of 
Gloucester's preferments, it Vas asked who 
was to have his Prebend of Durham : the 
Dean said, that the last news from London 
was, that Dr. Johnson was to have it : Fosset 
said, he was glad that Johnson had got off so 
well, for he remembered him a Jacobite seve- 
ral years ago, and that he used to be with a 
relation of his who was very disaffected, one 
Vernon, a mercer, where the Pretender's 
health was frequently drunk. This, passing 
among a few familiar acquaintance, was 
thought no 'more of at the time: it spread, 
however, so much in the north (how, I never 
heard accounted for) and reached Town in 
such a manner, that Mr. Pelham thought it 
necessary to desire Mr. Vane, who was a 
friend to Fosset and who employed him in 
his business, to write to Fosset, to know if he 
had said this of Johnson, and if he had, if it 
was true. 

This letter was written on the 9th of Janu- 
ary ; it came to Newcastle the Friday follow- 
ing. Fosset was much surprised; but the 
post going out in a few hours after its arri- 
val, he immediately acknowledged the letter 



205 

by a long but not very explicit answer. This *} 1d3 'o 
Friday happened to be the club-day of the 
neighbouring gentlemen of Newcastle — as 
soon as Lord Ravensworth, who was a pa- 
tron and employer of Fosset, came into the 
town, Fosset acquainted him with the extra- 
ordinary letter he had received : he told him, 
that he had already answered it, and being 
asked to show the copy, said he kept none ; 
but desired Lord Ravensworth to recollect, if 
-he held such a conversation at the Deanry of 
Durham, the day appointed for the birth-day. 
Ravensworth recollected nothing at all of it. 
They went to the club together, and Ravens- 
worth went the next morning to see his mo- 
ther in the neighbourhood, with whom he 
staid till Monday: but this thing of such con- 
sequence, lying upon his thoughts, he re- 
turned to Newcastle. He and Fosset had 
another conversation, and in endeavouring to 
refresh each other's memory about this dread- 
ful delinquency of Johnson, Fosset said, he 
could not recollect positively, at such a di- 
stance of time, whether Johnson drank those 
healths, or had been present at the drinking 
them, but that Murray and Stone had done 
both, several times. Ravensworth was <w- 



206 



1753. ceedingly alarmed at this, with relation to 
Mar. 22. g^one, on account of his office about the 
Prince -, and thus the affair of Johnson was 
quite forgotten, and the episode became the 
principal part. There were many more con- 
ferences between Raven sworth and Fosset, 
upon this subject, in which the latter always 
persisted, that Stone and Murray were present 
at the drinking, and did drink those healths. 
It may be observed here, that, when he w r as 
examined upon oath, he swore to the years 
1731 or 1732 at latest. Fosset comes up, as 
usual, about his law business, and is examined 
by Messrs. Pelham and Vane, who never had 
heard of Murray or Stone being named : he is 
asked and answers, only with relation to John- 
son, never mentioning either of the others : 
but the love of his country, his King, and 
posterity, burned so strong in Ravensworth's 
bosom, that he could have no rest, till he had 
discovered this enormity. Accordingly, when 
he came to town, he acquainted the ministry 
and almost all his great friends with it, and 
insisted upon the removal of Stone. The 
ministry would have slighted it, as it deserved ; 
but, as he persisted and had told so many o\ 
it, they could not help laying it before the 



207 



King, who, though he himself slighted it, was 1753. 
advised to examine it, which examination pro- Mar - 2 * 
duced this most injudicious proceeding in 
Parliament. The Duke of Devonshire was 
the only one of the committee, who was ab- 
sent from the House. The ministers, and in- 
deed, every body else, did imagine, and, I be- 
lieve still do, that this whole affair is combined 
with the resignations, and that there was a set 
of pretended friends to the Pelhams ready to 
take advantage of it ; and, I know, that Mr. 
Pelham did think that this motion would give 
great lights to it. How far their expectations 
are answered, I cannot say; mine were en- 
tirely disappointed, for the whole was so ill 
conducted and supported, that I should al- 
most be tempted to believe, that the grounds, 
which carried our conjectures into a sort of 
certainty, had no foundation at all. 

I waited on the Princess, who seemed much 20. 
pleased that the affair had ended so well in 
the House of Lords, and said, that it was ow- 
ing to the King's steadiness and resolution, 
that it went no farther : that his Majesty took 
it witli good sense and proper firmness, with- 
out which the Lords of the Cabinet would not 



208 



1753, bave behaved as they did. It is remarkable* 
Mar. 29. 

that this is the first time, that I ever heard her 

speak favourably of the King. In mentioning 
my reasons for having an opinion of Mr. 
Stone, without having any friendship with 
him, I said, that from thence I was glad when 
I heard he was placed about the Prince, She 
replied, she was not; on the contrary, she 
was very sorry, and much alarmed at it. I 
was surprised, and asked why ? She answered, 
because the Prince had always taught her to 
believe, that Stone was a Jacobite, and that 
she did firmly believe it : that the Prince was 
convinced of it, and, when affairs went ill 
abroad, used to say to her in a passion, how 
could better be expected, when such a Jaco- 
bite as Stone was trusted ? 

May 2. Lord Middlesex and Mr. Forrester were 
with me to suggest a plan for lajang a state of 
his Lordship's debts before the Duke of Dor- 
set: they amount to 15,000/. 

7. Mr. Ralph gave me an account that Mr. 

William Beckford was with him last Saturday, 
and told him, that they had a body formed, 
not a large one, which would act together : 






209 

that they found it necessary to employ the J 753 * 
press, and that they thought him the ablest 
person, &c. That they proposed setting forth 
a paper : He desired to know, with whom he 
was to be engaged, besides Mr. Beckford ? 
and asked if the Duke of Cumberland was to 
protect them ? he was answered, with the 
Duke of Bedford, but Mr. Beckford could 
not tell whether his Royal Highness was con- 
cerned. Ralph then asked, if he, with his in- 
struments, was to be secured and protected 
against all law prosecutions ? what establish- 
ment for himself? and if he was to lay down 
his own plan and write in conformity to it, or, 
if it was expected that he should be confined ? 
answered, that he should be thoroughly pro- 
tected, and by those who would own him in 
both Houses; that his allowance should be 
handsome, but could not then name the sum, 
and that he was to be at entire liberty. Upon 
which, being pressed to go to the Duke of 
Bedford, who desired to see him soon; he pro- 
mised Mr. Beckford to take an early oppor- 
tunity of waiting upon his Grace. 

Mr. Vane, now Lord Barnard, called upon 8. 
me: I talked very strongly to him, and told 






210 

1753. him f the open manner of enlisting all sorts 
of people against the Pelhams. I mentioned 
Ralph's resolution, and put him in mind, that 
I had offered his (Ralph's) services as my 
friend, and bade him recollect in how impro- 
per a manner Mr. Pelham had rejected him : 
I told him, that I had reason to expect that 
Pelham should have given up his resentments 
against him, on my account ; but that, cer- 
tainly, prudence should have made him do it, 
for his own sake. Lord Barnard thought 
writing of great consequence, though, he said> 
Mr. Pelham did not. I replied, that Mr. Pel- 
ham mistook himself; that no man was more 
susceptible of its effects, and no man more 
easily hurt by it : was there a stronger proof 
of it, than the present case ? What was this 
irreconcileableness against Ralph occasioned 
by, but the impression of a pamphlet, which, 
after all, the man did not write ? That I was 
sure, Mr. Pelham would repent it very soon, 
and that I no way farther interfered in it; 
yet I desired he should know this, and more 

■ particularly, that (as I had given him the 

offer of a most useful, honest, and able man, 
and upon his rejecting it, had, some time since, 
given him fair warning by him, Lord Barnard, 






211 



of what would happen) I must have no com- 1753. 
plaints, or insinuations, or even thoughts, that May s* 
I was any way, act or part, in any thing that 
might come out : it was language I would not 
hear, and insinuations I would not suffer. I 
was sorry for the step, because I knew how 
naturally people were misled when they were 
hurt. Who could tell, what a man, that had 
been Secretary of State, might furnish ? and 
how galling it might be rendered by the ablest 
pen in England ? That I was grieved to see 
so little spirit opposed to so much vehemence 
and virulence, as their declared enemies acted 
with ; that their efficient enemies, it was true, 
were but few in number, but yet, they were 
the King's son, and daughter, and a Duke of 
Bedford : that I thought the Pelhams had not 
three such efficient friends, in or out of St. 
James's : that my fears suggested, and reason 
confirmed me, that, if they did not exert them- 
selves, and give proofs of their power to the 
world, by their protection to their friends, 
numbers would gradually drop from them : 
that their all depended upon the new Parlia- 
ment: that I hoped they were active about 
it : that I had some little influence, as well as 
positive interest, in that election ; but that I 

P 2 



1753. 
May 8. 




212 

knew no more, what they were about, and 
how to apply that influence, than if I had 
never known their names : he was, however, 
to understand me, that these were the fears, 
not the complaints of a friend : that I meant 
no complaint, for that I had nothing to com- 
plain of: that I meant and asked the Pelhams' 
friendship and good- will, and in return offered 
them my services and attachment : that Mr. 
Pelham was pleased to accept this offer, and 
to promise his friendship and countenance in 
return : that I never asked him for any emo- 
lument, at any time, or in any manner: that 
his Lordship knew, I had been requested to do 
so, but that I never would ; having resolved 
to leave it wholly to Mr. Pelham, how he 
thought proper to make use of my personal 
services; those, that were in my power, in my 
present situation, I had promised, and he 
should have them. Nothing but words had, 
as yet, passed between us, but he should see 
that I would act. In my present state, all I 
could give him, was my country interest, and 
influence in the elections, and he should have 
them. I would certainly choose any two he 
pleased at Weymouth, and, though I knew 
nothing of his measures, all my influence 



213 



should go in the way that I could guess he 1753. 
most wished : that I did, and should leave the 
rest entirely to him, with regard to his ful- 
filling his part. If he thought I could be of 
no further use, I could not help it - y but if he 
thought I might, he would produce me in the 
way in which he could best enable me to per- 
form it : that this was wholly Mr. Pelham's 
affair — it did not depend upon me ; for what 
depended upon me, I should certainly per- 
form: that, therefore, though I desired he 
should know all this clearly and explicitly; 
yet I expected he should understand it, as it 
really was, the naked sentiments, only, and 
apprehensions of a friend, without any mix- 
ture of complaint, or having the least inten- 
tion to complain. I have forgotten to insert, 
in its place, an instance of their timidity to- 
wards their friends, which I mentioned to 
Lord Barnard, and which is too striking to be 
omitted. I asked his Lordship, how he 
thought our friend Murray felt, to find that 
his friends in power suffered a most offensive 
and hurtful calumny, meant at them also, to 
be fixed on him and made matter of examina- 
tion; instead of being rejected with indigna- 
tion, by a Court the most unprecedented, 



214 



1753. 
May 8. 



through the whole proceeding, that ever met ! 
I suppose, said I, you will tell me, that there 
Were reasons that made it unavoidable : I 
know them, the Cavendishes would not stand 
it, but leaned the other way. Stop here a 
moment — is not that saying, let it hurt whom 
it will, let it be never so inconvenient and 
lessening to you; we will not forfeit, nay, 
not venture one atom of our credit with the 
herd. Murray condescends to defend him- 
self; he treats calumny and clamour with the 
noble spirit they deserve, and artfully winds in 
an apology to them : they are then satisfied. 
That is, after his having been the subject of 
an illegal inquiry into an impertinent, dis- 
graceful imputation, and not having the least 
speck appear upon him, the Ministry are sa- 
tisfied. To be sure, Murray must think him- 
self greatly obliged to them. After all this, 
and when the same scandal was brought into 
the most public assembly, with the impotence 
of proof, in order to spread it through the 
nation: what do his friends in power do? 
they say, he was effectually justified, without 
doing one act to show their resentment of the 
persecution he had suffered, either by dis- 
gracing the abettors or punishing the authors 



215 



of it. How must a most able, active, openly H53. 

May 8. 
attached friend feel such tameness ! he replied, 

he thought (and I believe he did think) as I 
did. Mr. Pelham spoke to me at council, 
and told me that he had seen Lord Barnard, 
and that he thought himself extremely obliged 
to me for what had passed between us; he 
said, he was highly sensible how much he 
owed me, and that he would soon find an op- 
portunity to talk with me at large. 

Mr. Ralph was yesterday with the Duke 10. 
of Bedford ; he was very well received, but 
nothing was positively settled. I think he 
has acted precipitately, but I dare not re- 
strain him, for fear of becoming answerable 
for consequences beyond my power. 

Lord Barnard, Colonel Vane, Mr. Pelham, j UNE 26. 
and Mr. Furnese dined with me. We had 
not a single word about business, so that I 
look upon that transaction to be over. 

I passed the day with the Princess of Wales July 18. 
by her order. I was very friendly and kindly 
recciv i ; our conversation was chiefly of a 
• lomestic familiar nature. Nothing very re- 



216 



markable in politics, except my observing 



July 18. 



that people, who, chiefly out of regard to her, 
had declined all opposition, and were very 
ready and desirous to contribute to the service 
of the present Ministry, notwithstanding this, 
were still to remain in a state of proscription : 
that such people were pretty much snaffled 
by the apprehension that if they resented it, 
they might be considered as being in opposi- 
tion to her and to the young Prince, to whom 
their attachment and affection was inviolable 
and invariable. Whereas it was hard to be- 
lieve that the treatment, which their Royal 
Highnesses met with, was so cordial and en- 
dearing, as to oblige them to espouse the 
quarrels of the present Court ; especially 
against those, who were driven into those 
quarrels by the treatment they met with from 
their attachment to their Royal Highnesses 
and to the late Prince. She said, to be sure 
it was so, but she was not so explicit upon the 
head as I wished. She gave into it, but rather 
seemed to allow it, than declare it. 



29. 



I went to Eastbury, and on the Saturday 
following I dined at Lord Shaftesbury's, who 
was determined not to go to the meeting at 



217 



Dorchester, for the nomination of the Knights 1753. 
of the Shire. But finding that I was to go, July29 - 
he was perplexed, and more so, by a letter he 
received at dinner from Lord Digby, request- 
ing him to attend. We left his Lordship un- 
easy and irresolute. 

I was at Dorchester to assist at the meeting. Aug. 7. 
Lord Digby was brought, in the winter, to me 
by Lord Hillsborough, from Messrs. Pelham 
and Fox. He asked for my interest, as de- 
termining to stand on the Whig interest. I 
told him that, if no relation, or person with 
whom I had particular connexions, should 
set up on the same interest, mine was at his 
service : from that time to the present mo- 
ment, I never saw Lord Digby, nor was I con- 
sulted with by any of his friends. 

Soon after my coming to the Antelope, at 
Dorchester, he came to me and requested my 
favour; I told him that was my only business 
there. He soon returned with Lord Ilchester, 
and they both pressed me to stand with him, 
which I declined. Lord Milton, Messrs. 
DraXj Trenchard, and most of the Whig party 
came to me. I found that Mr. Trenchard was 



218 



17.53. to propose Lord Digby, but that neither he 
_ uo * 7 ' nor his uncle llchester had consulted, or con- 
certed any thing with any body. I said, 
there could be no doubt of the Whigs carry- 
ing the election, if they resolved upon it, be- 
cause, to my knowledge, two-thirds of the 
property of the county were in their hands, 
and because I had carried it for Mr. Pitt's fa- 
ther (who was scarcely capable) when our 
property was considerably less. But, whether 
they would resolve to go through it at all 
events, I did not in the least know : that I 
supposed Lord Digby 's adviser had asked and 
knew : but, if not, a party meeting should be 
held and consulted. Every body appeared to 
approve of this : the Lords llchester and 
Digby, both told me, privately, that Mr. Pel- 
ham encouraged Lord Digby to stand, and 
that a little before the Parliament rose, Mr. 
Pelham took Lord Digby aside in the House, 
and said, that he was informed it would cer- 
tainly do, and pressed him to go on with it. 
I replied to him, that I did not know from 
whom Mr. Pelham had his information, but 
that it did not come from me : that I would 
do him all the services I could, and all the re- 
turn I desired was, that he would remember I 



219 



was no ways consulted nor advising in the 1753. 
affair. We went up to the meeting about LG * ' 
noon, I believe, of Whigs we might be some- 
what more than thirty gentlemen ; when the 
Tories came, we were about one hundred. 



Sir Robert Long proposed Mr. Pitt. Mr. 
Bingham returned Mr. Chasin's thanks to the 
county, and his excuses for declining; and 
then Sir Robert proposed Mr. Sturt to join 
with Mr. Pitt. Mr. Trenchard proposed Lord 
Digby — nobody said a word. When Mr. 
Francis Seymour spoke a few words in sup- 
port of Pitt and Sturt, in order to keep the 
county out of ministerial dependence — to this 
nothing was offered on our side till people be- 
gan to move ; when I thought it necessary to 
take some notice of the expressions, which I 
did, and concluded by saying, that I should 
give my interest to Lord Digby alone, till I 
saw farther. Thus it ended, with very little 
spirit of their side, and with none at all, of 
ours. 



I was at Bridgewater, and, with Mr. Balch, n 
canvassed near half the town. The people 
did not choose to speak out, though very 



220 



1753. few declared they were engaged to Lord Eg- 



Aug. n. 



mont. 



is. We returned home to Eastbury. The ex- 

cessive badness of the roads and weather, with 
the nature of the business, made it much the 
most disagreeable journey, and the most fa- 
tiguing week I ever passed. All this trouble, 
vexation, and expense, as well as that to come, 
flows from a set of low, worthless fellows, who 
finding they shall not be bribed without an 
opposition, have prevailed on Lord Egmont 
to lend his name, to whom they will give one 
vote, that they may be able to sell the other. 
And, notwithstanding, as things now appear, 
his Lordship has no chance of making his 
election. This he does not see, nor that the 
Tories (though partly for other reasons) make 
his greatest strength ; so that he is setting up 
an interest, which, if it should succeed, he 
could never sit in quiet for that place. But 
though, I think, he has no chance at present, 
yet the uneasiness and expense will be the 
same to me, as if he was sure of success. 

Oct. 3. We returned to Hammersmith from the 
country. 



221 



Mr. Fox called on me, and expressed great 1753. 
civilities on account of my behaviour to his CT * ' 
nephew, Lord Digby, at Dorchester. 

I went early to Mr. Pelham, and talked with 9. 
him about Bridgewater: he gave me the 
strongest assurance of his assistance, and pro- 
mised to write immediately himself to Philip 
Baker, to convince every body of his friend- 
ship for me ; and that the Custom-house of- 
ficers should be properly taken care of. I am 
persuaded he is sincere. 

I was with Mr. Pelham again, who has 22. 
done all that can be expected hitherto, and 
promises to continue all his endeavours to 
support my election at Bridgewater against 
Lord Egmont's opposition. In this affair he 
has acted, and, I am convinced, he will act 
the part of a real friend. But I do not find 
that he has made any progress in the great 
point of smoothing my way to the King. 

The Princess of Wales and Lady Augusta, 23. 
attended by Lady Middlesex and Mr. Breton, 
did Mrs. Dodington and me the honour of 
breakfasting with us. After breakfast, we 



222 



1753. walked all round my gardens: we then came 
in, and they went into all the rooms, except 
the common dining-parlour : when we were 
coming down stairs, I told their Royal High- 
nesses, that there was one room, which I had 
forgotten to show them ; they desired to see 
it, and found a cold collation (for it was near 
three o'clock). The Princess very obligingly 
sat down, and we all ate a very hearty and 
very cheerful meal : she staid with us till the 
day began to decline, and behaved with infi- 
nite ease and condescension. 

29. The Duke of Cumberland is dangerously 

ill of a quinsey, but the truth of his illness 
proceeded from a fall from his horse. 

Nov. 3. Mr. Ralph told me that he had made his 
peace with the Ministry, by the means of Lord 
Hartington, to whose favour he was recom- 
mended by Mr. Garrick : that he was to have 
300/. a year and 200/. immediately down, to 
repay to those he was engaged with, the mo- 
ney they had advanced to him. Mr. Pelham 
had told me all this before, as also, that it was 
contrary to his opinion, but that his brother 
was uneasy about it, and therefore he had 
acquiesced. 






223 



I saw Mr. Pelham : he told me that Lord 1758. 
Poulett went immediately out of town from Nov - 7: 
waiting, and that he had had no conversation 
with him, but a broken one, while he was wait- 
ing to be called in by the King. His Lordship 
had told him he had seen his letter, and def- 
ined, that he had ever said Mr. Pelham was 
for Lord Egmont, but that he (Lord Poulett) 
was for him, and would fairly own it. Mr. 
Pelham replied, that it was not material ; but 
that he (Lord Poulett) should publicly declare 
at the Mayor's feast, that he (Pelham) was in- 
different between the three, when his Lord- 
ship knew he had so explicitly declared him- 
self in favour of me and my friend, was very 
singular ; as was also, his being for Lord Eg- 
mont, when he (Poulett) had offered and pro- 
mised both his brother and him, to do as they 
should desire him, which they told him, was 
entirely to assist me in every thing. Lie was 
called in, to the King, before Lord Poulett 
could make an answer. The King asked him 
about this election, and Lord Poulett's beha- 
viour, and said, that he knew, he had made 
up with his son before he died, but the King 
could not tell whether the reconciliation was 
owing to me or Lord Egmont, but that one 



2U 



^1753. or fag ther had a hold upon him. Mr. Pel- 
ham said to the King, that he knew nothing 
of his own knowledge, but he conjectured it 
might be by both, and that, he believed, Lord 
Poulett's plan was, as far as he could contrive, 
that the election should fall upon Lord Eg- 
mont and me. The King said he thought so 
too, but that was not enough, and then asked 
him, how he thought it would go ? Mr. Pel- 
ham answered, that he did not find by me, 
that I was disposed to give up the interest ; 
but when it came to much expense and much 
trouble, which must be the consequence, he 
supposed, as his Majesty did, that their design 
was to let me see r*y own election, and in 
that case I could not say how it would go: 
for that he did not think he had a right, in the 
present situation I stood, to insist upon my en- 
gaging to go through that expense and trou- 
ble, to keep out an opposer, when my own 
election would be easy without it. I told Mr. 
Pelham, that I would be at a word with him : 
that the fact and the interest was exactly, as 
the King and he understood it : that as to the 
interest, my seat did not depend upon it — that 
I had nobody to succeed me, whom I could 
wish should be the better for it — to this he 



225 



agreed. I added, that when I did things, I T 1753 ; 
never did them by halves : I professed attach- 
ment to him, and that where I had any in- 
terest, I meant to exert it against those who 
opposed his administration : that, therefore, I 
desired him humbly to assure his Majesty in 
my name, that my election was not the object, 
for that I would undergo the same trouble and 
the same expense, to keep out any body that dif- 
fered with his ministers, as I would, if my own 
seat was in question. Mr. Pelham promised 
me, he would make the kindest use of my de- 
clarations. 

I waited upon the Princess, who received 8. 
me with great goodness : she complained of 
the little regard paid to her recommendation 
of the late Prince's servants: she supposed, she 
said, the Ministers meant a great regard to her; 
meant it, but had not shown it, yet. 

The Parliament opened. I went to hear 15, 
the speech, which was very unexceptionable. 
In the House of Lords, the Duke of Newca- 
stle brought in a bill to repeal the act of last 
session in favour of the Jews. Doctors Seeker 
and Drummond, of Oxford and St. Asaph, 

Q 






226 



\753. spoke for the repeal, with sentiments of cha- 
v * I ' rity, comprehension, and liberty of conscience, 

highly becoming them, and to the honour both 

of the Church and State. 





17. The Princess sent for me to attend her be- 

tween eight and nine o'clock. I went to Lei- 
cester House, expecting a small company and 
a little music, but found nobody but her Royal 
Highness. She made me draw a stool and sit 
by the fire-side. Soon after came in the Prince 
of Wales and Prince Edward, and then the 
Lady Augusta, all in an undress, and took 
their stools and sat round the fire with us. 
We continued talking of familiar occurrences 
till between ten and eleven, with the ease and 
unreservedness and un constraint, as if one had 
dropped into a sister's house that had a fa- 
mily, to pass the evening. It is much to be 
wished that the Princes conversed familiarly 
with more people of a certain knowledge of 
the world. The Princess's attention to me 
seems an indication of a good heart, as if she 
resolved, as far as it is in her power, that the 
Prince should not forget those, who were be- 
loved by, and deserved well of, his father. 

Dec. ii. I saw the Duke of Newcastle, and con- 



227 



vinced him, that my trouble and expense at ll5 - J - 
t> •! i , Dec. 11. 

rJndgewater, was only to keep out a man, 

who opposed those to whom I attached my- 
self: that my own seat was not concerned in 
it : that the maintaining the interest there 
was, to me, nothing, having nobody to be- 
queath it to. I then told him that, in these 
matters, those who would take money, I 
would pay, and not bring him a bill : those 
that would not take, he must pay , and I re- 
commended my two parsons of Bridgewater 
and Weymouth, Burroughs and Franklin: he 
entered into it very cordially, and assvired me 
that they should have the first Crown livings 
that should be vacant in their parts, if we 
would look out and send him the first intelli- 
gence. I then just touched upon what had 
passed between Mr. Pelham and me. He pro- 
fessed his knowledge and approbation of the 
whole. I said, I must think that so much offered 
and so little asked, in such hands as theirs, and 
at a time when boroughs were a commodity 
particularly marketable, could not fail of re- 
moving, at least, resentments, and of obtaining 
pardon, which language I was willing to hold 
to my own Sovereign, but to no other. His 
Grace was very hearty, and cordial, and pro- 
Q 2 






228 



i?53. tested that every thing should be done to 
E0, • show their true regard and friendship for me. 
He did seem to lay no great stress upon dif- 
ficulties with the King. I concluded by tell- 
ing him, that I had no desires of being in 
favour with the King, or even well with him, 
or about him : that all I desired was that he 
and his brother might be able to say, that the 
King left me to them — that was all my price. 
He answered very cordially to appearance. 

H*. I waited on the Princess, and staid with 

her two hours. Much freedom and conde- 
scension — rather too much of the first on my 
side. I endeavoured (by her order) to explain 
to her the present unhappy divisions in Ire- 
land, and begged her to make the Prince 
thoroughly master of them. I told her, that, 
though I did not doubt but that the present 
heats would somehow, and in appearance be 
allayed, yet, I was sincerely grieved at the 
consequences which might, from indisposing 
numbers of a rich and thriving people, most 
cordially attached to the family hitherto, arise 
in a new and young reign: that I did not like 
the prospect. She replied, with a visible al- 
teration in her countenance to a mixture of 



229 

fierceness and grief that I had never seen be- 1753. 
fore, — It is true, and we have other very dis- Ec ' ' 
agreeable prospects. Then, very suddenly, 
she recovered her placidness of look and voice. 
I said, indeed, Madam, I do not see any. 
What at that moment struck her, I know not, 
but it was very forcibly: perhaps it might be 
the Duke. She told me some instances of the 
Prince's feeling the subjection he was under. 
(I have since heard, that Prince Edward com- 
plains of it, and of his brother's want of spirit), 
I said, it was to be wished he could have more 
company. She seemed averse to the young 
people, from the excessive bad education they 
had, and from the bad examples they gave. 
She appears uneasy, and, indeed, her situa- 
tion is very disagreeable, and much to be 
pitied. 

The Earl of Home, on Sunday night, 25. 
brought the account from Ireland, that the 
Irish Parliament had rejected the bill for the 
appropriation of the surplusses (which was 
altered in council, here, by the addition of the 
King's consent only) by five voices. A dan- 
gerous event, and productive of more mfs- 
chiefs than I shall live to see remedied! 




230 



1754. I went to White's, to a ballot for increasing 
the old club, which passed in the negative, 
34 to 10. At an election, the Earl of Hunt- 
ingdon had one blackball, and the Earl of 
Hillsborough had three. 

24-. I had much talk with Lord Barnard, who 

gave me strong assurances of the friendship 
and regard of the Ministers for me : that they 
would do every thing possible for me with the 
King: that nobody died to make room, and 
they could not turn out. Many instances of 
their pusillanimity, without his perceiving it 
himself. He declared his and their detesta- 
tion of Mr. Fox — George Grenville's insolence 
in refusing to come to town, and of opposing 
the number of seamen without the least notice 
to Mr. Pelham — Pitt's perfidy, and his party's 
making up to the Prince — that Barrington 
would not accept of being chosen at Saltash, 
but would be elected at Plymouth, which 
borough was designed for Admiral Clinton, 
Lord Lincoln's uncle — that Fox had asked 
Mr. Pelham for the first vacancy in the Trea- 
sury for Barrington, but had been absolutely 
refused — that Dupplin was to have it, and 
Lord Northumberland was to have the first 
blue ribband. 



231 



Went to the Duke of Newcastle, and got 1754. 
the living of Broad worthy for Mr. Burroughs. Jan ' 29 * 

My old and intimate acquaintance, poor Feb. 3. 
Mr. Hampden, died suddenly. 

I waited upon the Princess, who was sitting n. 
to Leotardi for her picture. Lady Augusta 
only was with her. 

Council at St. James's. The Judges attend- 28. 
ed and were called in. A charge was deli- 
vered to them (the King present, and in his 
name) by the Chancellor, to be by them given 
on their respective circuits, against irreligion, 
immorality, murders, poisonings, &c. This 
was in consequence of a motion in the House 
of Lords, by the Bishop of Worcester, for 
something to be done by the Legislature to 
this effect, in consequence of the last paragraph 
of the King's speech, at the opening of the 
sessions. 

As soon as I rose, I received an account Mar. 6. 
that Mr. Pelham died at six o'clock. 

I went to Lord Barnard and staid with him 7. 



232 



1754. 
Mar. 7. 



till five in the morning. We had a long con- 
versation, and agreed that, if Mr. Fox came 
into Mr. Pelham's place, their interest was 
entirely undone : that Mr. Fox had declared, 
he would have it; that he had served up to it, 
and it was his due, and that he was resolved 
to give way to nobody : that the Pitts, Lyttle- 
tons, and Grenvilles had written a letter, that, 
if Mr. Fox had it, they would oppose : that 
Lord Bath had sent a message to the Chan- 
cellor, that if Fox came in, old as he was, he 
would muster up a party to oppose : that he 
was sure Mr. Furnese, I, and my friends, 
would also do so : that Fox was at Lord 
Harrington's, between seven and eight on 
Wednesday morning: that Harrington was for 
him : that he thought the Duke of Grafton 
was so too, who had behaved most infamously 
to Mr. Pelham, and was a most perfidious 
man : that Mr. Pelham led a most uneasy life, 
from his brother, as well as from some family 
affairs: that when Lord Barnard died, the 
Duke of Newcastle sent him a letter, directed 
to the Earl of Darlington, and told him he 
must take it as the only mark, then in their 
power, of their particular regard to him : that, 
some time after, the Duke proposed him, and 



233 



the Lord Chancellor, to the King for that ho- 1754. 
nour, who refused both, and told him, he sup- Mar - 7, 
posed he designed to leave nobody on the 
Baron's Bench : and now that he had cheated 
Lord Barnard out of the settlement of suc- 
cession to his estate, he wanted to make him 
amends by promoting him to be an earl. 

The Duke went to Cambridge for ten days, 
but made his brother, Mr. Pelham, give his 
word, that he would not stir in this thing, 
during his absence. Somebody acquaints 
Lady Yarmouth with it, who puts the King 
in better temper about it. She bids Mr. 
Pelham move it to the King : he excuses him- 
self upon his word given to his brother : she 
says, they must agree that, among themselves; 
for the King is prepared and expects to hear 
of it. Mr. Pelham moves it, and it is fa- 
vourably received. The Duke returns, and 
the moment he sees his brother, flies into the 
most violent passion, that he had told him a 
lie, broke his word, &c. &c. with such intem- 
perance, that Mr. Pelham went away to the 
Solicitor General, till he cooled. Friends in- 
terposed, but the Duke, another day, flew 
into the same intemperance to Lord Barnard 




234 



1754. and Mr. Arundell, in presence of his valet de 
Mar. 7. c h amDre ^ t h at h e wou \^ fourt his brother, 

that he would make him know that he should 
not dare to do any thing in his absence, &c. 
and they did not see one another for a fort- 
night. This story shows the uneasiness of 
Mr. Pelham's situation in his private life. 
Lord Barnard pressed me much, to suggest 
whom I thought proper to fill Mr. Pelham's 
place; I said, the Solicitor — that would not 
do — he would not take it — the people would 
not bear it. I said, then put a Lord at the 
head, and make a Chancellor of the Exche- 
quer. — What Lord? — Why not Lord Carlisle? 
— the best he had heard named. Any but Lord 
Winchelsea ; his behaviour had been such to 
Mr. Pelham, that he would never sit at a 
Board with him ; that if ever the Duke of 
Newcastle suffered him in any employment, 
while he had any power, he should look on him 
as a very mean creature ; that the Duke of 
Devonshire was sent for, who went to Chats- 
worth last Monday, but he doubted if he 
would come ; that Mr. Pelham was my friend 
sincerely, had often mentioned me favourably 
to the King, and when I had executed what 
I had engaged in, about the elections, he 



235 



hoped to be able to serve me, but would not 1754. 
tell me so, till he was sure he could do it — 
[this I took for Moonshine.'] As an instance 
of Mr. Fox's perfidy to Mr. Pelham, he said, 
that he set the King upon him to repeal the 
place-bill, which Mr. Pelham absolutely re- 
fused ; and now, lately, upon the endeavour 
to repeal the oath, in the bribery act; the 
day it was to be moved, he was with Mr. 
Pelham at two o'clock, and gave him his 
word, that he would not speak for the repeal, 
and then went to the House and did speak 
for it. Lord Barnard concludes, that he (Fox) 
went from Mr. Pelham to the Duke, who 
commanded him to speak; and the rather, 
because being at the House himself, he saw 
Lord Sandwich in the gallery, and observed, 
that, as soon as Fox had spoken, that Lord 
went away. He said, that Sandwich was a 
most dishonest man ; that the Duke of New- 
castle was, at first, in raptures of fondness for 
him ; and when he grew angry with him, 
Mr. Arundell told Mr. Pelham, it was his 
own fault, he had nothing to complain of; 
when he knew, that he betrayed Chesterfield 
•to him, what reason had he to think or to be 
surprised, that he should not betray him to 
the Duke ? 




236 



its*. Waited on the Princess. We began by 
laughing about the plays. I then told her, 
that, as I did not design to trouble her long, 
my message should be short ; and it was only 
to put her in mind and desire her to remember, 
that, at this time of changes, and at all others 
that might happen, my first engagements 
were to her and her House, to which, when 
she would let me know her pleasure, all others 
were to give place, and should be subservient. 
She received it most kindly, and said, she was 
thoroughly convinced of it : and that no 
changes that could happen, ought or should 
make her and hers forget my friendship and 
attachment to them. And now, Madam, 
says I, if your Royal Highness pleases, we 
will return to the play. But she could not 
quit the subject — asked what I thought they 
would do ? I said, I had not seen any body, 
who could be supposed to have any direction; 
that I did not, in the least, desire to be in- 
formed by her Royal Highness, but that, to 
be sure, she must have some lights about it. 
She answered, she had none. I said, that was 
a fault, and that she ought to have them 3 
that the Ministry of late years, had been likeO 
children round a fire, telling stories of spirits, 



Mar. & 



237 



till they frightened one another, that they JJ*.^ 
dared not look behind them ; that it was be- 
come necessary, that she should give them 
courage; that the people were very solicitous 
to see something that looked, as if she had a 
share in it, and that her security was consi- 
dered ; that I would not mention what was 
said, because particular names were mentioned 
unfavourably. She replied, what could she 
do ? To get things into the hands of certain 
people, was as impossible as to move St. 
James's House ; and for any thing else what 
did it signify ? Besides, she supposed they 
knew where Leicester House stood, it was 
open. I said, that means should be found to 
direct them ; for, what had happened to Air. 
Pel ham would sooner or later, and in less 
time, happen elsewhere. She said, alors, 
comme alors. I replied, that she would be 
pleased to consider, that she would have 
these, and only these hands to work with, if 
she continued as she was ; and it might create 
some difficulty to begin with those where 
there was so little correspondence or con- 
nexion. She said, it was not an agreeable 
prospect ; she hoped the King would do what 
was best ; but she thought Mr. Fox would 



238 



1754. 
Mar. 9. 



succeed Mr. Pel ham, and she was very sorry 
for it; and this great dislike of Mr. Fox's 
coming in, she repeated several times in the 
rest of our conversation. 



12. 



14-. 



I had good intelligence that the Princess 
took what I said to her very kindly, and that 
she expressed herself favourably of me. 

Dined at Mr. Stanley's — and here I must 
take notice of the extraordinary scenes that 
have passed, since the death of Mr. Pelham. 



He died about six o'clock on Wednesday 
the 6th. Mr. Fox was at the Marquis of 
Hartington's before eight that morning. Ne- 
gociations begun. The Duke of Devonshire 
was sent for, the same day : he came on Sa- 
turday night the 9th. I was informed that, 
as Mr. Fox was supported by the Duke and 
the Princess Emily, to succeed Mr. Pelham, 
the plan to disappoint him was, to refuse the 
Treasury, but to offer him something that 
was better than the War Office ; which they 
hoped and believed he would refuse, and then 
to incense the King against him, and show 
him, that Fox would take nothing, that was 



239 



compatible with the Duke of Newcastle's re- l754 - 

Mar. 1 4. 
maining in power. This I was told, but could 

not figure to myself, what that something was 
to be. On Monday the 11th, at night, by 
the intervention of Lord Hartington, between 
the Duke of Newcastle and Mr. Fox; the 
King agreed that the Duke of Newcastle 
should be at the head of the Treasury, Mr. 
Legge Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Mr. 
Fox Secretary of State. I knew it early the 
next morning, and finding that was the some- 
thing, I thought it a something that must ruin 
the Duke of Newcastle. On Tuesday night, 
this was declared to the Cabinet Council. 
Wednesday night, the 13th, Mr. Fox had a 
meeting with the Duke of Newcastle, where, 
as it afterwards appeared, they differed about 
the powers that he (Fox) was to be trusted 
with, in his office : for he understood, by Lord 
Hartington, that he w T as to have the direction 
of the House of Commons, and had acquainted 
me that morning, by Mr. Ellis, a Lord of the 
Admiralty, that he was to have the absolute 
direction of that house, but under the Duke 
of Newcastle, and as his man, who was to re- 
main in full power, with the whole confidence 
rind secret of the King. Hut finding, at this 



240 



175*. 






conference with the Duke of Newcastle, that 
either this was not meant; or, that he was 
not to be trusted with sufficient powers to 
execute it properly, they parted dissatisfied; 
and the following morning, Thursday the 14th, 
Fox wrote to the Duke to be excused from 
accepting the seals of Secretary. This news 
I heard at dinner, and was much surprised at 
it, as was the whole tow T n. One side says, he 
used, and wrote the most abject submissions, 
to get the seals: he says, that he only offered, 
as he really meant, to serve absolutely under 
the Duke of Newcastle, and only required 
sufficient powers to be able to do it in the 
House, without exposing himself. 



1.5. Mr. Ellis came to me, with the avowal 

of Mr. Fox, to give me the material part of 
this account, adding that, as a proof of what 
Mr. Fox meant, he instanced Mr. Craggs be- 
ing Lord Sunderland's man, when lie had the 
Treasury, and was in full power with the late 
King — and also, that he had declared to the 
Duke of Newcastle, that he never desired to 
touch a penny of the secret-service money, or 
to know the disposition of it, farther than was 
necessary to enable him to speak to the mem- 



241 



bers, without appearing ridiculous. He ended 1754. 
with strong assurances of Mr." Fox's regard 15, 

and friendship to me, and his desires of having 
mine in return : this very strong. 

Went to see the Duke of Newcastle. Much 16. 
company, and no opportunity to talk with 
him. This day came out a new commission 
of Treasury, such as I never saw. The Duke 
of Newcastle in his brother's place, and the 
four former Commissioners — none of them 
Chancellor of the Exchequer — that remain- 
ing with Lord Chief Justice Lee. 

Dined with me, the Earls of Coventry, is. 
Jersey, Temple, and Hillsborough; Lords 
Strange, Hobart, and Barrington; Sir Fran- 
cis Dashwood, and Mr. George Grenville. 
The talk was, that Sir Thomas Robinson was 
to be Secretary of State, and that he had re- 
fused it — this was not believed. Lord Bar- 
rington staid after the company were gone, 
and told me his transactions with Mr. Pel- 
ham, relating to the Treasury, and last Thurs- 
day, with the Duke of Newcastle. He states 
his promises from Mr. Pelham too strong, if 
what Lord Barnard told me bo true — and by 

R 



242 



n.51.. his conversation with the Duke of Newcastle, 



Mar. 18. 








I think he will not have it this time ; at least, 
not before Lord Dupplin. 



IS. I was to wait upon the Duke of Newcastle, 

who, with great seeming kindness, begged me 
to come to him on Thursday, by nine in the 
morning : that he was sensible of my friend- 
ship, and would endeavour to deserve it ; I 
said, he certainly did deserve it; but, I hoped, 
he would show the world that I had his. He 
replied, that he would use all his endeavours. 

21. Went to the Duke of Newcastle's. Began 

by telling him, that I considered and respect- 
ed the weight, he must lie under, of diiferent 
kinds, at this time; therefore, should never 
trouble him, but when it was absolutely ne- 
cessary, and never long : that I was come to 
assure him of my most dutiful affection, and 
sincere attachment to him, simply, having no 
engagements to make me look to the right or 
the left — also, to repeat my readiness to com- 
ply with the engagements I had taken with 
his brother, which I understood to be with 
him, and supposed he would continue to ap- 
prove: but that, what had happened, made 



243 



it necessary to recapitulate them, though he IW- 
knew them : that the engagements on my side 
were, to give him all the little interest I had, 
towards the electing the new Parliament — I 
did it in the county of Dorset, as far as they 
pleased to push it — I engaged also, specifical- 
ly, to choose two members for Weymouth, 
which he desired might he a son of the Duke 
of Devonshire, and Mr. Ellis, of the Admiral- 
ty — I supposed he would confirm that nomi- 
nation, but that was nothing to me : I was to 
choose two, of his nomination, which now was 
fallen to him ; so he might name whom he 
pleased : that I was also engaged to exclude 
Lord Egmont from Bridgewater, if I could, 
of which I should give him a farther account, 
when I knew his pleasure upon this first part; 
because there might be mention made of that 
transaction in the closet, and there were some 
particularities attending it, that, it was pro- 
bable, he might not be acquainted with. He 
assured me of his friendship and affection, in 
a solemn and dejected manner ; knew his bro- 
ther was sincere to me \ knew all our engage- 
ments, and looked upon himself ts party to 
them; would do every thing in his power to 
comply with them, and agreed to his bro 
K 2 



244 



1754 - ther's nomination of Lord J. Cavendish and 

Mar. 21. 

Ellis, and hoped they would be agreeable to 
me. 



I proceeded to the article of Bridgewater, 
which I said was thus — Long after my mutual 
engagements with Mr. Pelham, when Lord 
Egmont made that unfriendly attempt, Mr. 
Pelham asked me, what would become of it ? 
I said, that it need not affect my election, 
though it might destroy the Whig interest 
there, fof ever: that the interest was very in- 
different to me, as I did not expect to live to 
see another Parliament, and had neither suc- 
cession, relation, nor friend, that I could or 
.wished to leave it to: but I asked him, if it 
was indifferent to him, that Lord Egmont 
should come in there. He said, no, to be 
sure; and hinted, besides his public opposi- 
tion, great distaste to him personally, as if 
something very dishonourable had passed be- 
tween them : I avoided entering upon that, 
and said, that as he thought him his enemy, 
I thought myself obliged to oppose him, 
where 1 had any interest ; that I was sorry it 
came so home to me, but that I designed to 
do it. Some time after that, he told me that 






245 



the King asked him, if I seriously designed to n. r >4. 
endeavour to keep Lord Egmont out of" 
Bridge water, having been told that it would 
be a matter of some trouble and expense- — 
Mr. Pelham replied, that he could not speak 
to his Majesty with any authority, but he 
thought, I would : that I desired him, when 
next those matters came to be discussed, to 
lay me at the King's feet, and tell him, that as 
I found it would be agreeable to his Majesty, 
I would spare neither pains nor expense to 
exclude him : that thus it became my en- 
gagement to do it, if I can. That these 
were the engagements on my side with 
his brother. He saw, that I had not di- 
minished them, and I was fully determined 
to perform them, let what would fall out 
on the other side. The Duke was very 
serious, and dejected, during the whole con- 
versation, and threw in several warm ex- 
pressions of approbation, and then said, that 
he was loaded with too many things at once, 
for one man to bear : that he had seen, and 
his brother had told him, how handsome my 
proceedings had been : that this was the most 
noble, that could be imagined: that he had 
transactions with many, but none like this, 
and begged me to say, what his brother en- 



Mar. 21. 



246 

• 
175*. gaged me to do; and to tell him all that had 

passed, and how I understood it. I said, I 
must be excused ; I could not talk about ad- 
vantages to myself, that were to take their rise 
from my own assertion only, when there was 
nobody to contradict me : I was afraid, he 
would have enough of that from others : it 
was sufficient that he was satisfied, that I had 
not whittled down the obligations which I was 
to perform. He pressed me still more strongly; 
till I told him, that I would not talk of it at 
all, without reminding him, that I was abso- 
lutely determined to fulfil all the engagements 
I had taken, and repeated to him, without any 
regard to what might be done on the other 
side : that it was the last transaction of my 
life, and therefore should suffer no ambiguity : 
they were too far gone to admit of any altera- 
tion ; let what would happen, I could not re- 
fine them away ; I thought myself bound 
by them, and would, at all events, perform 
them : that my proceeding must be as open 
and clear to the memory of his brother with 
him, as they would have been with his brother, 
if we had had the misfortune to lose his Grace : 
that, even on this footing, I had very little to 
say ; for I was sure, he must know that his 
brother was to remove the personal misrepre- 



247 



sentations that I lay under, with the King, at 1754.. 
a proper time, and to bring me into the ser- AU * 
vice, in a proper manner : that I never thought 
of fixing him down to a particular day, or a 
particular office, because indeed I meant more, 
I meant to come in, so as to live with them as 
an humble friend, under their friendship and 
protection. He said, very seriously and 
warmly, that he would never assert any thing 
as done, that he was not sure, was done ; but 
as to the King's dislike, we might wave that. 
It was impossible, but that must give way ; it 
could not withstand such a behaviour as mine : 
we might put it out of the question : with two 
or three strong expressions more, to that pur- 
pose. He then asked me, if his brother had 
engaged to bring me in, before the elections 
were over. I said, he had made me no such 
promise, that I had never bartered with him, 
so as to pin him down to a day or an hour, 
my views being to obtain their friendship, &c. 
as I had before explained to him. He said, 
he always understood it so ; and asked me, as 
there would be many changes, and that they 
were obliged to cut the cloth into as many 
pieces as they could, if I thought, I could 
come in before the election. I said, I did 



248 



1754. 
Mar. 21. 




think I could. He replied, he knew I might 
be trusted, and would talk very freely to me, 
and tell me how things stood, since I said, I 
thought I could come in now: that the Secre- 
tary's office was settled, and that he had four 
positive engagements, which were to Lords 
Hillsborough, Dupplin, Barrington, and Mr. 
Nugent : but that he had not, and would not 
promise any one of them, till it was done and 
settled with the King. He then expatiated 
on the King's kindness to him, which, how- 
ever, he attributed great part of, to the exi- 
gencies of the times : that his Majesty had ad- 
vised him not to promise, and that he replied, 
that he should take great care not to have 
himself quoted against himself. I said, I un- 
derstood that the Secretary's office was de- 
signed for Sir Thomas Robinson. He said, 
yes, and that for the business of the Northern 
Province [N. B. He is to have the Southern 
Province] no man in England understood it 
better; that he was not happy at explaining 
himself, but no man knew more, or had better 
understanding. I said, I knew him very well, 
he was a worthy man, and I loved him. I 
said, what if I came into the place he left ? 
He considered a little, and said, very well, 



249 

pray go on. I said, I would particularly 1754-. 
support him in the House, where he would 
chiefly want it. He said, he knew he would. 
I said, there is my old place, Treasurer of the 
Navy; that must be vacant: I should like 
that better than any thing. But, I added, 
why should I enter into these things, I 
leave it wholly to your Grace. He said, that, 
by a strange fatality, the direction of the 
House of Commons was fallen upon him, who 
had never thought of it ; and he must expect, 
that the great attempt would be, to show that 
he could not direct it : therefore he could not 
choose by affection, but must comply with 
those who could support him there. I said, I 
understood so, and that I thought, I might 
pretend to some abilities that way : that in the 
opposition, I was thought of some use there : 
that in Court, indeed, I never undertook much, 
because he knew I never was supported : but 
now, when I should be supported, I hoped I 
might pretend to be as useful there, as my 
neighbours. He said, it was incontestahlv so. 
I said, that I Avould derogate from nobody, 
but considering the superiority of age, the 
offices I had gone through, and my rank in 
the world; and adding to that , ckoosing six 



250 









17.54. members for them at my own great expense, 
* without the expense of one shilling from their 

side, I thought the world in general, and even 
the gentlemen themselves, could not expect 
that their pretensions should give me the ex- 
clusion. He said, that what I did, was very 
great — that he often thought with surprise, 
at the ease and cheapness of the election 
at Weymouth — that they had nothing like it. 
I said, I believed there were few who could 
give his Majesty six members for nothing. 
He said, he reckoned five, and had put down 
five to my account. I said it was so > but 
this attempt of Lord Egmont's made it six — 
he would observe, that I did not pretend to 
choose two for Bridgewater : but by Lord 
Egmont's opposition, the two members must 
be entirely owing to me ; for if I did not 
exert my whole force to exclude him, he must 
come in, and the court would have but one 
there. He thanked me, said it was most clear 
as it was now explained, but he had not con- 
sidered it in that light. I said I must be ex- 
cused from talking any more about myself : 
that I left it entirely to him, and to the King; 
that I was fulty determined to make this sa- 
crifice to his Majesty, let him use me as he 



251 



pleased : that I. would keep out of the way of 1754. 
a personal affront: that I knew I had given l AR * 2I ' 
no just cause of offence, but that I would not 
justify with his Majesty — that it was enough 
that he was displeased, to make me think that 
I was in the wrong, and to beg him to forget 
it : I would not even be in the right against 
him, and I was very sure, I would never again 
be in the wrong against him, for which I 
hoped his Grace would be my caution. He 
said, he would with all his heart. He took 
me in his arms, and kissed me twice, with 
strong assurances of affection and service. 
I told him, I would go to Mr. Ellis, and ac- 
quaint him with his nomination to Weymouth; 
he desired I would, and from him tell him, 
that he agreed to his brother's nomination, 
but not to say any thing by way of com- 
pliment. 

N. B. When I came in, the Duke had a 
quire of paper before him, upon which, at the 
top I saw my name. He took notes of all 
that passed : called in Roberts, showed him 
the paper, and told him, he must write it fair, 
the notes in one column for his use; the other, 
blank, to take the King's pleasure. 




252 



175 k The Duke of Newcastle resigned the seals. 

Mar. 23. 

and Sir Thomas Robinson received them, and 

the following day, those gentlemen kissed the 

Princess's hand. 



27. Dined at Lord Barrington's, and found that, 

notwithstanding the fine conversation of last 
Thursday, all the employments were given 
away. 

W. Lord Barnard kissed hands at Leicester 

House as Earl of Darlington; Mr. Charles 
Townshend for the Admiralty ; and the Lord 
Chancellor, as Earl of Hardwick. 

Apr. i. Waited on the Princess, in the evening, by 
her order. — Music. Sir George Lyttleton as 
Cofferer, and Mr. George Grenville as Trea- 
surer of the Navy, kissed the King's hand. 

2# Went to the Cockpit. Short talk with the 

Solicitor, who is extremely hurt, dejected, and 
dissatisfied with the proceedings. 

8. Arrived at Eastbury. 

i I# Dr. Sharpe and I set out from Eastbury at 



253 



four o'clock in the morning, for Bridgewater, 175*. 
where, as I expected, I found things very dis- PR * 
agreeably framed. 



Lord Egmont came, with trumpets, noise, 12. 
&c. 

He and we walked the town: we found 13. 
nothing unexpected, as far as we went. 



Spent in the infamous and disagreeable f 14. 
compliance with the low habits of venal < 15. 
wretches. (. I6 - 



Came on the election, which I lost by the 17. 
injustice of the Returning Officer. The num- 
bers were, for Lord Egmont 119, for Mr. 
Balch 114, for me 105. Of my good votes, 
15 were rejected: 8 bad votes for Lord Eg- 
mont were received. 

Left Bridgewater for ever. Arrived at East- ig. 
bury in the evening. 

Arrived at Hammersmith in the evening. 24. 

I went to the Duke of Newcastle's. Re- 2^5. 



254 



1754. ceived with much seeming affection: thanks 

Apr. 26. 

for Weymouth, where I had succeeded : sorrow 
for Bridgewater, where I had not. I told him, 
that I would give him a detail of that whole 
transaction, in as clear and short a manner as 
was possible, if he was then at leisure to re- 
ceive it : but if not, and he thought it worth 
mentioning to the King, I would only give 
him the heads of it, and he might say, that I 
was to acquaint him with the proofs of those 
heads, at a meeting which he had appointed 
on purpose. Accordingly I began by telling 
him, that I had done all that was in the power 
of money and labour, and showed him two 
bills for money remitted thither, before I went 
down, one of 1000/. one of 500/. besides all 
the money then in my steward's hands, so that 
the election would cost me about 2,500/. In 
the next place, if this election stood, the bo- 
rough was for ever in Tory hands; that all 
this was occasioned by want of proper support 
from the Court, and from the behaviour of the 
servants of the Crown. Upon Mr. Pelham's 
death, seeing the multitude of promotions in 
which no notice was taken of me, and Lord 
Poulett acting openly against me, with all his 
might; seeing no check given to him, or en- 



255 



couragement to me, they so strongly con- 1754. 
eluded the Government to be indifferent, that 
five out of the Custom-house officers gave 
single votes for Lord Egmont. The next head 
was — that, in spite of all, I had a fair majority 
of legal votes, for that the Mayor had admitted 
eight bad votes for Lord Egmont, and refused 
fifteen good ones for me ; so that it was en- 
tirely in their own hands, to retrieve the bo- 
rough, and get rid of a troublesome opponent, 
if they pleased : that if the King required this 
piece of service, it w T as to be done, and the 
borough put into Whig hands, and under his 
influence, without any stretch of power ; for 
the cause was so clear and indisputable, that, 
instead of wanting their power to support it, 
nothing but their power could withstand it: 
that (if it was expected) I would lend my 
name, and my assistance here and in the coun- 
try, to rescue the borough, and deliver it into 
such hands as the King shall approve of; but 
that I, on mv own account, would have nothing 
more to do with it. I had fulfilled to the ut- 
most the sacrifice of duly which I had pro- 
mised, and proposed to myself; I desired no 
retrieval or acquisition of interest, and would 
absolutely be no farther concerned, than as 
the canai to convey that borough into his Ma- 




256 



A 175 t' fi jesty's disposition. He replied, that they un- 
derstood the borough to be lost, and also, that 
it was entirely a party affair : that Lord Shaftes- 
bury had confirmed him in it, and assured 
him, that the violence of the Tories against 
me was much inflamed, by the assistance I 
gave, and offered to give Lord Digby, last 
summer, at his appearance for the county of 
Dorset: that they knew Mr. Balch neither 
would, nor could support Bridge water : that 
nobody had acted like me, or considered the 
King and his service, in what I had done, and 
now offered to do, so nobly and disinterestedly, 
&c. I said, that what I had done was in con- 
sequence of what I had declared before to 
him, viz. to show my duty to the King, and 
my earnest desires to pass the rest of my life 
in his Grace's friendship and protection : that 
I had backed my fancy, and left the rest to 
him. He made great professions of good 
wishes, good will, best endeavours, &c. &c. 
which weigh with me as much as the breath 
they were composed of. 

May 20. The Master of the Rolls died yesterday. 

<28. I received the Princess's commands to wait 

on her at Kew the next day. 



257 



Went to Kew before eleven o'clock. The 1754. 
Princess walked with me till two. — Much May29 - 
conversation about the Prince : wished he saw 
more company — but who of the young people 
were fit ? Wished he had acquaintance older 
than himself: durst not recommend for fear of 
offence; while he had Governors, &c. and was 
under immediate inspection, all, that they did 
not direct, would be imputed to her. In a 
year or two, he must be thought to have a 
will of his own, and then he would, she hoped, 
act accordingly. Expressed great slight and 
disregard for those in office, and her usual 
dislike for the Ring. We talked of his accu- 
mulation of treasure, which she reckoned at 
4,000,000/. I told her, that what was be- 
come of it, how employed, where and what 
was left, I did not pretend to guess , but that 
I computed the accumulation to be from 12 to 
15,000,000/. That these things, within a mo- 
derate degree, perhaps less than a fourth part, 
could be proved beyond all possibility of de- 
nial ; and, when the case should exist, would 
be published in controversial pamphlets, if 
troublesome times should arise, which I hoped 
in God would never happen. She was very 
kind and Gracious to me. After dinner. I ord 



258 



1754. Bathurst and Lord Moreton (whom, with his 
May 29. son anc | daughter, sne saw upon the road, and 
asked to step in) walked with us : they staid 
but little, and left us with her, Lady Augusta, 
and the two Princes ; we conversed till near 
eleven, when I returned. At home I found a 
letter from Mr. Balch, acquainting me that 
he had brought Mr. Burroughs with him, to 
lay the Bridgewater business before the Mi- 
nistry. 



30. 



We went to town before dinner. I told 
Messrs. Balch and Burroughs, that having 
laid the whole affair before the Duke of New- 
castle upon my arrival, and he having assured 
me, that he would appoint a time to go through 
and settle it, which he had neglected to do, I 
would not go to him : but I advised them to 
wait on him, and that I thought the best way 
would be, that Mr. Balch should write a note 
to acquaint his Grace, that he had brought 
Mr. Burroughs with him, who, in conjunction 
with himself, was best able to give him an ac- 
count of the injustice the whole party la- 
boured under, who thought themselves well 
entitled to his Grace's protection, in obtaining 
that justice, which they were determined to 



259 



prosecute; therefore desired to know when , r 1/54 - 
they might wait on him, to Jay that whole 
transaction before him. 



Parliament opened by commission. I 31. 
took the oaths without doors. Very full 
House. 

Waited on the Duke of Dorset. Mr. Balch June 1, 
resolved to write the note I advised (of which 
I gave him a draught) and send it that night. 

Went to the Duke of Dorset's, and ac- 3. 
quainted him with my situation with the Mi- 
nistry. Went to the House. Mr. West de- 
sired to speak with me — said that Mr. Balch 
had written to the Duke of Newcastle (which 
letter he showed me), who had appointed to 
see him on Thursday; but the Duke desired 
to see me first. I told him, that I would go 
to him to-morrow. 

Went early to the Duke of Newcastle's. 4. 
He told me that he had received a letter from 
Mr. Balch, but desired to advise with me, be- 
fore he saw him: that nothing was settled, or 
he should have sent to me long before : that 
8 9 



1754. 
June 4. 



260 

he was against multiplying petitions, for rea- 
sons obvious to me : that he knew nothing of 
Lord Egmont ; but had heard that he some- 
times talked as if he was willing to battle it : 
that if it should be made a point, he did not 
know, if we were certain of carrying it : that 
Lord Egmont would make a party : that pos- 
sibly, the Princess might wish he should be 
let alone, or at least, that those of the late 
Prince's servants might be for him. I said, 
that I had laid this affair fully before him 
already > that he knew I had pushed it in the 
country with such an expense and trouble, 
and so absolutely, considering it a service 
which the King (as his brother told me) wish- 
ed: that it had cost me 3,400/. that I was 
fairly chosen, nor would the Returning Officer 
have dared not to return me, had he not been 
encouraged by the servants of the administra- 
tion : that the borough was lost, and lost 
solely by a Lord of the Bedchamber and the 
Custom-house Officers: that they might re- 
trieve it, or not, just as they pleased ; leave it 
in Tory hands, or recover it; get rid of Lord 
Egmont, as an opponent, or keep him in, as a 
friend, I should neither be satisfied or dissatis- 
fied with it; I should not be obliged by the 



261 



one, or disobliged by the other. I dealt 1754. 
clearly with him, and desired to be understood LNE 
without any ambiguity : I had told him this 
before, and my opinion and resolution was the 
same. He said, he acknowledged it, and de- 
sired me to advise what was to be done. I 
told him, I could not advise, because I did not 
know the truth of my own situation ; it was 
time to come to a full explanation upon that 
head, for it must come to a decision: that I 
had done all the services in my power, and 
spent very great sums, of all which, they, now, 
had the benefit : that I had made no bartering 
bargains, but had done it frankly, with a plain, 
avowed, and accepted intention to take off the 
edge of the King's ill-grounded resentment, 
and prove my attachment to his Grace; to 

show myself his immediate friend 

a fezv lines were in this place torn, by an acci- ■ 
dent, from the manuscript I re- 
plied, it must come to a conclusion, one way 
or another : if after accepting both offer and 
execution of all I could do, I was to remain 
under an absolute proscription, and exclusion 
from all favour, that every other subject of my 
rank might justly expect, i must do as I could, 
but it must be explained and fully. He said, 




262 ■ 

r\ 76 \ he himself liked to deal explicitly, and to un- 
derstand clearly what was expected : that he 
had laid my services before the King in the best 
manner he could; though some people (of 
whom he would inform me afterwards) had en- 
deavoured to insinuate to his Majesty, that I 
had not the power I pretended to at Weymouth. 
I asked him, if he himself did not tell me in 
that room, that he had declared to the King, 
that the borough was redelivered into my hands, 
on the express condition to take his election of 
two, for that time only f this be- 
ing the opposite side of the leaf, which zvas men- 
tioned before to have been torn, a few lines are 

also here wanting he would 

do it in the best manner he was able : that it 
had been insinuated, and he had not said, ex- 
pressly, that he would ; but had not said, he 
would not: that if I had my view upon an}' 
particular thing, or office, he would move it, 
and try to get it, in the most cordial manner. 
I said, as to going to the King, I would post- 
pone that consideration for a minute : that, as 
to the last, he well knew I never thought of 
making bargains, that I left that matter to- 
tally to him. He said, that there were few- 
things that a man of my rank could accept, 



263 



and that none of them were vacant. I said, 17H* 
it was true, but I did not impute that to him : 
that as he was at the head of the Treasury, I 
should choose a seat there, if it was vacant, 
sooner than any thing, but I could not take 
that ; at the same time I begged he would ob- 
serve, that I did not expect to be Privy Seal, 
if Lord Gower should die \ that I did not come 
to make bargains for this, or that thing, or 
time : he had forced me, before I went into 
the West to say, that Sir Thomas Robinson's 
office, or my own again (both which were then 
vacant), I should like very well ; he gave them 
away without considering me. I desired no- 
body to be removed, much less to die. He 
must think that 2000/. a year would not make 
my fortune, with one foot in the grave : that 
as to rank, I had heard that the King was odd 
about titles : that I had as much respect for 
the Peerage as any man, but he could not but 
see, that, in my situation, without succession, 
or collateral, a Peerage to me, was not worth 
the expense of new painting my coach : that 
I desired to pass my life as his attached friend 
and servant, persuaded that he would, as such, 
do me favourable justice the first pportunity 
that offered, lie said, that he understood me 



264 



1754. ver y w eil : that I could have no competitor in 
the House of Commons ; I expected then any 
employment that I could take, which should 
first fall ; and added, I suppose you wiil be 
disobliged, if you have not the very first that 
falls. I demurred a little at the oddness and 
bluntness of the proposition, and did not well 
conceive the intention of it, but after a little 
pause, said, — that is a hard word, my Lord, I 
do not absolutely say that. There may be, 
possibly, reasons that my real friendship for 
him might make me acquiesce in ; I will not 
say so hard a word at once ; the case will 
speak itself, but it must come to a positive 
issue — and now, my Lord, I must resume the 
offer your Grace made of going immediately 
to the King, to demand a categorical answer, 
whether he be determined, after all I have 
done and spent for his service (of which he 
now reaps the utility) to suffer no return to be 
made me, when opportunity throws it in the 
way, but to exclude me from all the advan- 
tages I am entitled to, in common with the 
rest of his subjects, both by my rank and mv 
rvices ? as to his resolution, it must be 
Known, but as you profess your sincere dcsiiv, 
that 1 should be properly considered, it |iej 



265 



upon you to do it m the best manner, and at 17 ^- 
; T , ., June 4. 

the properest time : 1 do not prescribe to- 
morrow or the next day, this week or the next; 
but as this is the only obstacle, it must be 
known, absolutely, and in a reasonable time: 
if I am proscribed from amongst all my 
fellow-subjects, I must, and shall submit to 
the King's pleasure with all possible respect : 
but as your Grace has re-assured me, that 
you have represented what I have done, fairly 
and favourably to him ; till I know it from 
your Grace, I cannot believe that so just and 
generous a Prince would accept a poor sub- 
ject's offers of service, and suffer him to carry 
them into execution, at so great an expense, 
with a resolution absolutely to exclude him 
from all sorts of common favour. I thought 
it would be what never happened before, or 
to me only. He said, he would do every 
thing in his power, and did not imagine it 
could end so. I told him, that I heartily 
wished it might not, but it must end one way 
another, it must not remain as it was ; for I 
was determined to make some sort of figure 
in life: I earnestly wished it might be under 
his protection, but if that could not be, I must 
make some figure -. what it would be, I could 



266 



1754. n ot determine yet; I must look round me a 
little, and consult my friends, but some figure 
I was resolved to make. He said, he would 
do his best to settle it to my satisfaction ; he 
did not think it could end in a proscription. 
I said, I ought to hope so, for my own sake ; 
but if he should not be able to obtain common 
• indulgence for a friend, whom he favoured 
and thought useful, and who had given such 
Convincing proofs of his utility, I should be 
sorry for myself indeed, but I should also be 
sorry for him too ; it was being upon a very 
indifferent footing indeed, I should therefore 
be very sorry for it, upon his account, as well 
as my own. He said, he would do his utmost 
to prevent it from coming to that, for, now, he 
understood me thoroughly. He then desired 
we might advise together about the Bridge- 
water affair. I said, I thought that all at- 
tempts to quiet the Whig party there would 
be vain, without beginning to turn out the 
officers. He seemed very unwilling to go so 
far; and at last said, that he knew I was a 
man of honour, and he would trust me with a 
secret, which I must never reveal, not even to 
the* Duke of Dorset ; and then, after a multi- 
tude of precautions, and exacting engage- 



267 
ments of honour from me not to divulge it; nsi. 

T i 

he told me, that the truth was, that he had a 
mind that this petition should not go on; and 
if I could assist him in bringing it about, he 
should be much obliged to me : — but if it 
should be known, it would be reported and 
believed that he had made up with Lord Eg- 
mont, which was by no means true •> for, upon 
his honour, he had neither spoken to him, nor 
seen him, nor had any negociation with him; 
for he knew very well, that if the King was 
informed that the town was resolved to pe- 
tition, and there were the least grounds to 
throw out Lord Egmont, he would order him 
to push it with the utmost vehemence. I 
said, I had often told him it was no cause of 
mine ; be it how it should, I should not take 
it as a matter of payment or dissatisfaction : 
that I would certainly keep his secret, which, 
however, every body would see through, if 
no justice was done : that I would do all I 
could with Mr. Balch and the town, to quiet 
them ; but that, without punishing the officers, 
I feared he would find it impracticable, which 
he would better jud^e of when he saw Messrs. 
Balch and Burroughs on Thursday. What, 
if he offered the alternative, and tried to make 



26S 



1754. 
June 4. 



the giving up the officers, the price of dropping 
all farther proceedings ? He said, it was a 
good thought, and he must scramble off as 
well as he could. So we parted, with usual 
protestations. 



6. I saw Messrs. Balch and Burroughs, who 

had been at the Duke of Newcastle's. His 
Grace had talked them over, but nothing po- 
sitive, not so much as punishing the officers, 
but he told Mr. Balch that he would send 
Lord Dupplin to him — While they were with 
me, Lord Dupplin was at Mr. Balch's, and 
soon after they met, talked very amicably, 
and agreed to meet here on Tuesday. This 
haste to see Mr. Balch, was in order to learn 
all he could, that he might talk it over with 
the Duke at Clermont, between Saturday and 
Tuesday. 



io. Went to Lord Hillsborough's. Much talk — 

first about Bridgewater election :— could not 
conceive the Duke of Newcastle could have 
the least difficulty in supporting a petition, 
and wondered he was not most desirous of it. 
If not, my friends would certainly support 
me — I doubted — He said, that though the 



269 



tide of politics might have a little separated 1754. 
people, so that they might not be so ready to E °' 
follow me in every political point; yet in 
any thing personal, he could not doubt, but 
that the many that had lived with, and been 
obliged to me, would support me heartily and 
with all their power. I still doubted. He 
said that my relations, the Grenvilles and 
Lyttletons would, and he knew it from them- 
selves. 



We thence fell upon other subjects, and 
he desired to know of me, what I thought of 
their present situation. I said* I could not 
judge of it, because I did not know it, but it 
seemed to me very disjointed. He said, I 
could not imagine any thing like it : every 
body of consequence was dissatisfied. I said, 
I could not conceive that, as they had just 
had every thing divided amongst them. He 
said, it was so for all that ; he not only knew 
it to be so, but from his intimacy with them, 
he knew their reasons, which he would tell 
me, and would begin with Mr. Pitt. That, 
indeed, he had no intimacy with him, but was 
told them by his bosom friend Mr. George 
Grenville, who was also his : that, indeed, if 



270 



1754. Mr. Pitt meant money, I might well think., 
he ought to be satisfied ; but, his passion was 
not money ; it was ambition, power ; of 
which he had no share. This made him very 
uneasy, which was highly increased by the 
late promotions. Instead of being acquainted 
with, and consulted about what was to be 
done, he was only informed what was done ; 
instead of offering him his share, he received 
news, that his most inveterate enemy was 
made Secretary of State; the next post brought 
him an account that Mr. Fox had refused the 
Seals, and that Sir Thomas Robinson had 
accepted them. I said, that I supposed, that 
they did not think Mr. Pitt could possibly 
undertake an office of fatigue, or an office of 
business, from the state of his health. He said, 
that Mr. Pitt replied, he himself ought to be 
the best judge of that: besides, Mr. Legge, 
who could have no pretence to go before him, 
was made Chancellor of the Exchequer, just 
in the same manner. They should have 
offered him at least. They should have made 
him well with the King, who was his enemy, 
which they had never taken the least care to 
do. That Legge, George Granville, and Fox, 
were his (Hillsborough's) intimate friends, 



mi 



and he knew their thoughts from themselves ; 1754. 
that as to Legge, he acknowledged that he 
was promoted, though he did not much de- 
sire it ; however, when he was placed there, 
he thought that he should he supported : he 
expected to be as well with the Duke of 
Newcastle as any body, though he was to act 
an under part : but he found himself, instead 
of better, not to be so well with him, as the 
rest of his colleagues ; that he knew nothing 
of what was doing, or to be done, and was not 
considered at all in any thing : that George 
Grenville was in the same way of thinking, 
and expected very different treatment, from 
his rank and consideration in the House of 
Commons : besides, if he had less reason to 
be displeased, nothing would make him easy, 
wnile his great friend, Pitt, was dissatisfied: 
that as to Fox he need say nothing : Fox 
says, he was offered the Seals with proper 
powers to be at the head of the House of 
Commons; and the next day, he was told 
with some roughness, that he was to have 
none, nor was he to meddle with the conduct 
of the House, farther than as it related to 
his office : that he might have accepted with 
honour, even upon those last conditions ; yet 



272 



1754. having been offered, arid having accepted the" 
June 10. » ° . . : , , 

office upon the first; he must have been a 

mean rascal to have submitted to the degra- 
dation. I asked him, if, considering the sus- 
picious temper of the Duke of Newcastle, he 
thought the Duke would be willing to leave 
Fox in the closet; in any station, after what 
had passed. Lord Hillsborough replied, he 
believed not ; but that Fox would meddle very- 
little, and if he gave no particular offence, he 
thought the Duke could not get him out; and 
added, that he and the rest of them should 
take very little share in business, unless there 
w r as more trust and communication, than had 
hitherto appeared. 

IS » I saw Messrs. Balch and Burroughs, who 

had been with the Duke of Newcastle, and 
were promised by him, in the strongest terms, 
that our party should be supported. 



19, 



Lady Orford staid with me above three 
hours. Her business was to lament her mis- 
fortunes, for that Mr. Shirley and she were 
parted, of which she gave me a long account; 
the whole of which was, that he insisted upon" 
something independent, and that she would 
part with nothing out of her own power* 



273 



Lord Dupplin came to talk about Bridge- 1754. 
water ; but first, he informed me, that he had LNE 2 
told the Duke of Newcastle what I had said 
about mvself ; that I had offered a free and 
unreserved friendship, and that, after what I 
had done, I thought myself well entitled to the 
treatment and favour of a friend, and that it 
must be decided one way or another : that his 
Grace seemed to desire it, as much as I did. 
Lord Dupplin added, that he understood it 
would be settled, and though the Duke did 
not explain himself positively, yet his Lord- 
ship considered it as a thing fixed, and which 
would soon be over. I gave him proper 
thanks, and said, it could not remain as it did; 
that the Duke was so generous as to press me 
to say, what his late brother was engaged for, 
That I would not speak to my own advantage, 
when the only person, who could contradict 
me, was dead : that, indeed, there was no 
bargain for particular things ; friendship and 
connexion was what I asked, and Mr. Pcl- 
liam said, he was equally desirous of it. Lord 
Dupplin said, he knew that Mr. Pelham, for 
more than a^year before he died, looked upon 
our union to be as settled, as any connexion 
lie had, and always added, that I wa« the on! 

T 




274 



17.34. man of business they had, and he was resolved 
to attach me to them. I replied, that though 
I had not said so much to the Duke, Mr. 
Pelham declared that I had a good deal of 
marketable ware (parliamentary interest), and 
that, if I would empower him to oiFer it. all to 
the King, without conditions, be would be 
answerable to bring the affair to a good ac- 
count : that, if his engagement had not been 
taken, the nature of the thing plainly spoke 
it. Service is obligation, obligation implies 
return. Could any man of honour profess 
friendship, accept the offers of his friend's 
whole services, suffer those services to be car- 
ried into execution, avail himself of their 
whole utility, and then tell that friend, he 
could not, or he would not make him any re- 
turn ? Could there be such a character ? Sup- 
posing this gentleman had a master, whose 
affairs were promoted by these services, the 
concurrence of whom was necessary to this 
return, but who was indisposed to his friend ; 
could he answer it to his friend or to the 
world, when he found his master's resent- 
ments irremoveable, if he did not advise his 
friend to take back his offers, and apply them 
as he might think best, unless he chose to 



275 



risk them on an adventure, for the perform- fr5*. 

June 21, 
ance of which he could not be answerable ? 

These things spoke themselves, and all man- 
kind must see them in the same light : that, 
be it how it would, it must be thoroughly un- 
derstood by the world — If this connexion, 
and the acceptance of my effectual services, 
was not ratified by effects that justified them, 
I must be contented to pass for a dupe, and 
they, for sharpers ; the world would justly call 
me fool, and them, by a much harsher name ; 
but for myself, I was prepared to bear it all, 
let what would happen. I found means to 
repeat this particular deduction and conclu- 
sion, two, or three times, in the subsequent 
conversation. We then fell upon Bridgewa- 
ter — the Duke of Newcastle would do every 
thing to support the party; he demurred up- 
on petitioning, only, for fear of making it a 
handle for forming an improper connexion at 
setting out. I knew that those in consider- 
able places differed among themselves, and 
almost all disowned immediate dependence, 
obligation, and allegiance to the Duke, and 
that they might, on such an occasion, perplex 
and disturb his Grace. I said, I understood 
trial, and after having strongly represented to 
T 2 



276 



1754-. him that, what I undertook, I had performed, 



June 2 



since he acknowledged I was fairly chosen : 
that I meant it a service ; if they were satis- 
fied, I was : if they desired to make effectual, 
what their own dependants had obstructed, I 
would give my assistance, but that I was 
wholly unconcerned in their determination : 
I added, that I did not think this case 
was liable to the inconveniences which he 
had mentioned : for that I had reason to 
think, that Mr. Fox would not espouse, even 
privately, Lord Egmont against me, though I 
had not seen him since my return from the 
West. That I had been pressed by several 
with offers of service, to know if I would peti- 
tion : that the Grenville's, &e. had given me 
to understand, that they would not only be for 
me, but actively so : that I would own to him 
in confidence, that I myself wished there 
might be no petition : that the Duke might 
think it no ill bargain, if he could get Lord 
Egmont, by suffering him to sit only, without 
any farther pretensions upon his Grace, and, 
perhaps, I might think so too : but I thought 
it impracticable ; for if I was in his Grace's 
confidence, I should be obliged to tell him, 
that, if Lord Egmont subscribed to that bur- 



277 



gain ; when the fourteen days for petitioning 175+. 

June 2 1 
were expired, if the Duke did not engage to 

gratify his Lordship (which w r ould be no easy 
matter) the fifteenth day, it was my opinion, 
that he would break with his Grace on the 
sixteenth. Lord Dupplin said much of Lord 
Egmont's falseness and ill behaviour to Mr. 
Pelham, who told him, that he was so gross a 
flatterer, when he brought him in for Weobly, 
that it was quite shocking, and Mr. Pelham 
showed him a letter from Lord Egmont, in 
which he writes, that he was happy in hav- 
ing found a man, in whom he could have an 
implicit faith, with a great deal more of this 
kind. He then entered into the means of 
managing this affair of Bridgewater. I said, 
I could say but little to it, after what I had 
said ; that my being in their confidence, or 
not, must and would chiefly decide of the 
complexion of that business. He replied, he 
always looked upon that as done, and to be 
sure, that must be decided, before any mea- 
sures could be taken with effect. I told him 
that one way came across me, and only one, 
to make all things easy, but charged him, as 
a man of honour, never to mention it, as a 
thought or suggestion of mine; because it 
was not so much as my wish, and the sugg.es- 



278 







H54-. tion might be construed to imply the wish : 
that the expedient was, if any thing should 
happen, or be formed, to make room for me 
in the service, before the meeting of Parlia- 
ment ) that would vacate my seat, and I could 
neither petition nor stand for Bridgewater — 
but I enjoined him never to mention this (for 
it struck him much, and made him, for a few 
minutes, very thoughtful) as coming from 
me, for I really meant it, only as a pleasan- 
try, between him and me, that rose on a 
sudden. 

July 2. I went to town to see Lord Dupplin, about 
the Bridgewater business. He said, he had 
told the Duke of Newcastle all that had pass- 
ed between us, and had explained the nature 
of the friendship I offered, in contradistinction 
to the inconnexion and inconfidence of others 
in office : that the Duke approved of, and de- 
sired it, and meant to effect it : that he press- 
ed his Grace to end it with the King; for 
when the proscription was taken off, and the 
King had accepted me, the Duke might then 
declare, that I was in his confidence, and un- 
der his protection, and that he was at liberty, 
and would do me justice, the first opportunity 
that might happen : and then he (Lord Dup- 



279 



plin) could have the pleasure of communicat- i~54. 

July 2. 
ing every thing, he knew and heard, confiden- 
tially to me, and should consider me and him- 
self, and the Attorney and Stone (which last 
was present when he talked to the Duke), as 
one person. I said, I could not imagine any 
reason why Stone should be indisposed to- 
wards me. He cried, indisposed ! very much 
the contrary; he desires it greatly, and so do 
all the Duke of Newcastle's friends. I re- 
plied, if it ended otherwise, it would be the 
most scandalous transaction that ever appear- 
ed to the world, and appear it must. He said, 
it could not end ill — he looked upon it as 
done, for he desired me to observe, that the 
Duke did not hold up the King at all, or so 
much as insinuate that he apprehended any 
difficulty from his Majesty. I begged Lord 
Dupplin to press the Duke to make an end of 
it, before I went to the West; and that I 
would wait on him before I set out, and 
earnestly requested that it might be entirely 
settled. 

I went to the Duke of Newcastle's. After is. 
his Grace had talked indecisively about Bridge- 
water, of which I gave him the hearing, I de- 



280 



1754. s J re d to know positively, what I was to ex- 
* poet : he replied, and told me, that he had 
laid all my services before the King in the 
fullest manner, but it did not satisfy him : that 
his Majesty endeavoured to lessen my credit 
at Weymouth — that the Duke replied, that 
he thought his Majesty himself had told him, 
that the borough was put into my hands, at 
the renewal of the charter, on condition of his 
naming two members for that time only. The 
King could not deny it ; but upon the whole, 
he would not receive me to any mark of his 
favour. I said, that, as it was so, I received 
his Majesty's displeasure with that respect and 
resignation, which became me towards my 
Sovereign ; that, after such offers received, and 
suffered to be carried into execution, at the 
expense of nearly 4000/. I did not believe 
such a conclusion had ever happened : but I 
submitted, and must act as opportunity and 
accidents should direct. The Duke express- 
ed much sorrow; protested the sincerity of 
his endeavours, and said, that what would not 
do one day might do another. I replied, that 
I could not judge of that ; but if he imagined, 
that I would remain postulating among the 
common herd of suitors, and expose myself to 



281 



suffer twenty unworthy preferences more, to 1754. 
get, perhaps, nothing at last, certainly no- 
thing that I wanted, — it was impossible; I 
would as soon wear a livery, and ride behind 
a coach in the streets. I repeated these 
words again in the course of the conversation. 
We parted very civilly. 

I called on the Attorney General, and told 19. 
him what had passed, and desired him to be a 
witness, that I looked upon myself, as free 
from all engagements, after such a return ; 
and I expected to have no hints thrown out of 
breach of faith, &c. whatsoever party I might 
take. He replied, that I was undoubtedly 
free, but he could not believe, it would end 
so. He protested, he was sure that the Duke 
of Newcastle had represented everything in 
the most favourable manner, though he should 
not wonder, if I did not believe it. I said, 
that, all things considered, it was pretty hard 
to believe it. He replied, he agreed to that: 
and if they, on their side, did not return to 
the charge, till they carried their point, he 
would believe so too: tiny must do it, &c. 
which was very civil and insignificant. 



282 



m*. I went to Eastbuiy. 

July 26. 

Sept. 25. Returned to Hammersmith, 

Oct. 8. I called upon Lord Hillsborough, and had 
much free talk with him. Nobody in office 
satisfied, or would act beyond their particular 
department. Nobody empowered, or that 
would take the lead. Mr. Pitt had seen the 
Duke of Newcastle for an hour, and returned 
to Bath. TheTDuke would have entered with 
him into the American expedition, to dislodge 
the French from the Ohio; Mr. Pitt said, 
your Grace, I suppose, knows I have no capa- 
city for these tilings (being dissatisfied that he 
was not made Secretary of State), and there- 
fore I do not desire to be informed about 
them. He is likely to resign, but not to go 
into opposition. Fox and Pitt are so far 
agreed, that they are willing, that the first 
should be at the head of the Treasury, and 
the other Secretary of State ; but neither will 
assist the other. I asked, if that was not a 
virtual union. Lord Hillsborough replied, it 
was near it: Mr. Pelham had the address to 
play the one against the other; but the Duke 



283 



had not. He had had some talk with the * 754j 

Oct. B 

Duke about this, who told him, all would go 
well, let them do the duty of their offices. 
The Duke said, he had informed the King, 
that he had not much to expect from his first 
rank in the House of Commons (meaning 
Fox, Pitt, Legge, Grenville), but that he had 
an excellent second rank (meaning him [Hills- 
borough], Barrington, Dupplin, Nugent, 
Charles Townshend, &c.) That West, Se- 
cretary of the Treasury, had been with him, 
and expressed his opinion that they could not 
go on : that he saw many of the city, and it 
was an unanimous opinion they could not — 
that opinion, however founded, was of great 
weight: that he had told this to the Duke, 
who said, you know nothing of the matter, all 
will go well. The King does not speak to the 
Duke of Dorset; yet, it is possible, he may 
go again to Ireland. The Duke of Grafton 
wishes to send his son-in-law, the Earl of 
Hertford, thither. All this is astonishing ! 



From Oct. 10, 1754, to April™, \755, th 
Diary seems to have been discontinued. 



284 

1755. I passed the evening at Leicester House* 
The Princess was clear, that the Duke of 
Newcastle could not stand as things were. 
She desired it might be understood, that her 
house had no communication with Newcastle 
House; but not that she said it, because it 
would be told at St. James's, at which place 
she desired to avoid all disputes. 

9- Mr. Pitt came to Lord Hillsborough's, 

where was Mr. Fox, who stepping aside, and 
Mr. Pitt thinking he was gone, the latter de- 
clared to Lord Hillsborough, that all con- 
nexion between him and Mr. Fox was over—- 
that the ground was altered — that Fox was of 
the Cabinet and Regent, and he was left ex- 
posed, &c. — that he would be second to no- 
body, &c. Mr. Fox rejoining the company, 
Mr. Pitt, being heated, said the same and 
more to him ; that if Fox succeeded, and so 
made way for him, he would not accept the 
seals of Secretary from him, for that would be 
owning an obligation and superiority, which 
he would never acknowledge : he would owe 
nothing but to himself; — with much more in 
very high language, and very strange dis- 
course. Mr. Fox asked him, what would put 



285 



them upon the same ground; to which Pitt 1755. 
replied, a winter in the Cabinet and a sum- 
mer's Regency. 

Pitt talked the same over again to Lord 10. 
Hillsborough, who endeavoured to soften mat- 
ters; but Pitt was unalterable, and desired 
Lord Hillsborough, as a friend, to take an op- 
portunity of telling Mr. Fox, that he wished 
there might be no farther conversation be- 
tween them on the subject ; that he esteemed 
Mr. Fox, but that all connexion with him 
was at an end. 

fPr» In 1741 the King was at Hanover, and 
the French marched 42,000 men into West- 
phalia. Bussy was sent with a convention of 
neutrality for Italy, which was signed in 
September 1741 — the consequence was, that 
15,000 Spaniards passed under Haddock's 
nose. If the same should now happen, and a 
neutrality for both Indies be demanded ! 

Notwithstanding what had passed at Lord 15. 
Hillsborough's, Messrs. Fox and Pitt have had 
another conference, not so alienating, but not 
.satisfactory. I have seen neither, and so do 
not know the particulars. 



286 



1/55. I was with the Princess, by her order : we 
had much conversation, both in the morning 
and evening, in which, I think, all was said 
that my memory could suggest to me upon 
the present state of affairs — the weakness, 
meanness, cowardice, and baseness of the 
Duke of Newcastle— to all which she echoed 
in the strongest terms — the impossibility of his 
standing without a new system — of this too, 
she declared, she was fully convinced, and 
that she was so persuaded of his falseness and 
low cunning, that if she designed to go into 
the next room, she would not trust him with 
it, if she meant it should not be known. I 
laid before her the necessity of a new system, 
for that I found people would not bear the 
present : that I believed no new one was form- 
ed, but that I saw there was such a disposi- 
tion, as must end in one, of some sort or an- 
other : that what retarded it most was, that 
people were guessing at her, and were tender 
of pushing any thing that she might be dis- 
obliged by, and resent another day : that I 
myself had entered into no engagements with 
any body, and was not fond of doing it, but 
that I was upon such a foot with the most 
efficient, that they would scarcely come to 



287 



any fixed plan, without acquainting me with 1755. 
it : that I thought it absolutely necessary to 
attempt a settlement, not only for the present, 
but which might, with small alterations, last, 
when a certain event took place ; for it would 
be a melancholy thing, if under a young King 
and the pressure of a war, when efficiency 
and immediate action was required, instead of 
consulting what was to be done, we must be 
struggling who should do it : that, therefore, 
it was to be wished, that some system, so 
mixed as not to be disagreeable to her, should 
be conveyed to the Duke of Newcastle \ with 
intimation that, if he would embrace it, he 
might not only be supported now-, but find 
protection another day : if he refused it, he 
must be left to his enemies, and expect no 
support either now, or then : that my mean- 
ing was, to lead the King into it, without his 
knowing it, and make him consent under the 
idea of making his own affairs easy, and that 
he should not know from whence it arose, or 
the extent of it : that I wished to avoid all 
disturbances ; and it was that, and'that alone, 
which made me think of any thing, that was 
to continue such a creature as the Duke of 
Newcastle at the head of affair?, even for an 



288 



1755. 
May 27. 



hour, either now or then. She signified her 
entire approbation of all I had said, by several 
short interruptions, and then said, that she 
was, and long had been much affected with 
the melancholy prospect of her own and her 
son's affairs : that such. a settlement, as I men- 
tioned, was doubtless much to be desired, but 
how was it to be obtained? there were a hun- 
dred good reasons that tied her hands from 
interfering with the King ; those of her child- 
ren were obvious enough ; and if she was to 
stir, it would make things worse ; she saw no 
way to extricate herself. I replied, that the 
case was extremely delicate : that whenever I 
thought of it, I laid it down, that something 
must be done, and yet, that she must neither 
be seen nor heard in it : that, upon so delicate 
a foundation, such a sort of confidence was 
required to act, that was above my capacity, 
and such a one that I did not aspire to : that 
I thought men were wanting: that, I was 
satisfied, the nation had, still, great resources, 
and that even parts were not wanting, but 
character and experience in business was: 
that the Duke of Newcastle had the ball at 
his foot, when his brother died ; and he might 
have made a lasting and advantageous settle- 



289 



meat for himself and the country, but he had J 75 ?l 
not endeavoured to oblige one efficient man, 
besides his known enemies : that there was 
no violence, no oppression, no particular 
complaint, and yet the nation was sinking 
by degrees, and there was a general indis- 
position proceeding from the weakness and 
worthlessness of the Minister, who would 
embrace every thing, and was fit for nothing. 
She answered, that she was glad to hear me 
say that the nation had still great resources — 
for people told her it was undone — but she did 
not think so : yet, if there were both resources 
and parts too, and they could not both be 
exerted, what would they avail ? She saw, and 
much lamented, the consuming state of the 
nation, which I mentioned : it was of infinite 
consequence how a young reign began, and 
it made her very uneasy. She was highly 
sensible how necessary it was, that the Prince 
should keep company with men: she well 
knew that women could not inform him, but 
if lit was in her power absolutely, to whom 
could she.' address him ? What company could 
^lio wish him to keep? what friendships de- 
0KF6 he should contract? Such was the universal 
profligacy, such the character and conduct of 

U 



290 



1755. the young people of distinction, that she was 
really afraid to have them near her children. 
She should even be in more pain for her 
daughters, than for her sons, if they were 
private persons; for the behaviour of the 
women was indecent, low, and much against 
their own interest, by making themselves so 
very cheap. This and much more (with no 
very high opinion of the King) took up above 
two hours. About six, after drinking coffee 
with Lady Charlotte Edwin, we were sent for 
to walk. The ceremony of the day seemed 
to be, to leave the Princess to me, for the 
young Princesses and the company always 
kept before, or behind us. Having made the 
tour of the ground, and being shown the im- 
provements, she proposed going into the 
King's gardens : there, she again renewed the 
same subjects ; we talked of several private 
characters ; the general indisposition ; the 
danger of the war : and then of the inability 
of the Duke of Newcastle, her dislike and 
contempt of him : the impossibility of his 
standing, as he was now circumstanced. 
Something should be thought of, and soon — 
the summer was the time, the winter was not 
so proper for concerting measures. I re- 



291 



plied that, indeed, in summer people's steps * 755 \. 
were not so much observed; and parti- 
cularly in this summer, as the King was 
abroad. She again expressed her astonish- 
ment at the Duke of Newcastle's conduct, 
and said, she could not conceive who were, 
really and truly, the persons whose advice he 
chiefly depended upon. I replied, I had 
never heard of any body, but those whom 
public fame had made notorious, who were 
Messrs. Murray and Stone. She said, if it 
was so, they were very bad politicians, unless 
it was true, that they were at bottom the Ja* 
cobites they were so strongly represented to 
be, and gave their advice to carry on the con- 
suming system. I said, it was impossible ; 
for their understanding, their actions, and, 
above all, their interest made it so. She an- 
swered, that nobody but God could judge of 
the heart, and that, for her part, she did not 
give any credit to those reports : she spoke in 
favour of Murray's abilities ; but nothing, one 
way or the other, of Stone. She mentioned 
two things, which were remarkable from the 
inferences : the first, talking of what the Duke 
of Newcastle ought to do ; but then, says she, 
he will say the party will not come into it ; 
the party, this; and the party, that: but I 



292 



1755. could never understand what the party was; 
May * I have endeavoured to learn, and I could never 
find, that the party was any thing else, but 
the Duke of Devonshire, and his son, and 
old Horace Walpole. The Duke of Devon- 
shire was the cause of the Duke of Cumber- 
land's being in the Regency this time ; and he 
insisted upon his being left sole Regent, at a 
meeting, where were the Duke of Newcastle, 
the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Grafton, 
Lord Waldegrave, and old Horace Walpole. 
The second was, on my commending the 
Prince's figure, and saying he was much 
taller than the King, she replied, Yes, he was 
taller than his uncle. I said, in height it 
might be so, but if they measured round, the 
Duke had the advantage of him. She an- 
swered, it was true, but she hoped it was the 
only advantage that he, ever, would have 
of him. 

In the half-hour between her Royal High- 
ness's dressing and dinner, Mr. Cresset did me 
the favour to come to me, and to my very 
great surprise, entered, at once, into the 
wretched management and inabilities of the 
Duke of Newcastle: he repeated what the 
Princess had before said, and added, the 



293 



monstrous expense of the present armament, M 175 f* 
and yet insufficient; it was well made by 
those who had it in charge, when they were 
permitted to act ; but it was infinitely blame- 
able in the Minister, who delayed that per- 
mission so long, and thereby occasioned this 
vast, unnecessary expense in arming. Why 
not be prepared, or at least forward in your 
preparations, in the autumn ? Then every 
thing might have been done completely, and 
at the usual expense. It was impossible to 
stand as it was — for the same would happen, 
when the war came upon the Continent in 
Europe — Hanover must be protected, but it 
would be in the same way ; a number of 
expensive, useless engagements entered into 
in a hurry, too great for the country to bear ; 
and yet, by that hurry, ineffectual to the end, 
which might be attained by a reasonable plan, 
and upon reasonable terms. Just so was the 
last war, ruinous in the expense, and unsuc- 
cessful in the end, for want of consideration 
and a reasonable plan at the beginning. But 
it was easily seen, that all -was going out way : 
that it was a sad prospect for those who 
wished well to the Prince: that the poor 
Princess was very uneasy about it. 



294 

Ma 5 27 ^^ ^ ^ S 1S S0 ' atl( ^ ** * S aS c6rtam > 
that the Duke is full as much indisposed to 

the Duke of Newcastle as the Princess ; and 

the amount of all will be — Nothing. 

The King, the Princess, the Duke, and the 
chief people in employment; all, except the 
King ; all avowedly hate and despise the 
Duke of Newcastle. The King delegates his 
power to him. The Princess and the Duke 
(from trifling dislikes in my opinion), and the 
principal people in employment, from this 
strange situation of the Royal Family, and 
from great unwillingness to venture their 
emoluments, cannot unite in bringing about 
the single thing in which, perhaps, they all 
agree. Is not this political prodigy a surer 
prognostic of the fall of a state, than a 
comet ? 

29. During a visit at Horton for two days, I 

had much conversation with Lord Hallifax. 
We entirely agreed in the insufficiency, false- 
ness, and meanness of the Duke of Newcastle's 
administration : and we much lamented the 
imminent necessity of contrary conduct, in 
the present dangerous state of our country. 



£95 



The remedy we could not find, though we * 75S - 

° May 29. 

agreed that neither the Duke nor the country 
could go on, without other management or 
other hands. I advised his Lordship to think 
of it seriously. He said, the Duke of New- 
castle was his near relation ; he wished him 
well, had served him honestly, had asserted 
the rights of his own office, but had entered 
into no cabals against him : that the Duke had 
sometimes used him kindly, and sometimes 
otherwise; had sometimes obliged him, and, 
sometimes, granted in such a manner as not to 
oblige : that he had frankly told his Grace all 
this, and had pressed upon him, that it was im- 
possible to proceed with these hands, obliged 
as he might think them; but disobliged as they 
themselves thought, or, at least, professed to 
think: that he would press him again, though 
without hopes of success. Lord Hallifax owned, 
he saw nothing to help the Duke, but my friends, 
Talbot and Dashwood, and me. I said, that 
I did not know how he could gain us, unless 
he could show us a real intention to extricate 
this country from the distress he himself had 
so much contributed to bring upon it; and 
then, that he (Hallifax) should have the seals, 
with sufficient authority to carry those inten- 



296 



1755. 
May 29. 





tions into execution, or else, that he would 
engage with us to force his Grace to a com- 
pliance. He then added, that he had repre- 
sented the usage he had met with, to the 
Duke, both as his near relation and his friend — 
The unworthy preferences — Lord Holderness, 
incapable^— then, Mr. Fox — then, Sir Thomas 
Robinson, every way most unfit — his making 
Mr, fox of the Cabinet, which he before had 
refused him, under pretence that the King 
would not consent to it — his allowing Mr. 
Pitt's claim to the seals of Secretary, by 
making excuses, and laying it wholly upon 
the King's dislike — his expressing much ali- 
enation to Messrs. Pitt, Fox, and the Gren- 
villes, on account of the arrogance of the first, 
and of the falseness and cunning of the se- 
€ond> who would deceive the Duke of New- 
castle by pretending to be his friend. I said, 
that the Duke would deceive himself, for Mr. 
Fox did not pretend to do it, and would be 
sorry^to have it thought so, as he had declared, 
he neither had, nor would have any obligation 
to him. But that it behoved him (Hallifax) 
not to acquiesce under the pretensions of 
either: for, by that means, they would be- 
come realities against him, and, in case of 



297 

any alterations (which appeared unavoidable) M 1755 * 
they would acquire a foundation, if not suc- 
cess. He said, that, unless the Duke of New- 
castle made a new system, he could not go onj 
but if those should succeed, it would be a 
very flimsy and short administration, for nei» 
ther the nation, nor the people of quality- 
would confide in either of them. Lord Halli- 
fax added, that he had felt the danger of suf- 
fering those groundless pretensions to be esta- 
blished, but knew not how to prevent them— 
and therefore he had told the Duke of New- 
castle, that, since he saw his Grace would not 
trust him in business, and was continually 
putting people before him, he expected some 
mark of distinction, and demanded the Garter: 
that the Duke b6ggled at it, and said Lord 
Carlisle was to have it : that Lord Northum- 
berland insisted upon it: that he would do his 
best, but that he (Hallifax) had no friend at 
Court but himself. To which Lord Hallifax 
replied, he did not know what his Grace 
meant by that — that, indeed, he never thought 
it necessary to apply to whores and knaves ; 
but, in short, he must have it, or quit his 
office — he did not care it should appear to be 
done in a pique, for both their sakes, and 



298 

1755. therefore desired the Duke would propose it, 
and insist upon it, to the King; and if his Ma- 
jesty absolutely refused it, that the Duke, 
upon honour, would tell him so, and he would 
then take a proper time to quit the service, 
which would prevent its appearing to the 
world, that the Duke had not the power of a 
Minister, or that he himself had laid down 
out of resentment. The Duke said, he would 
not for the world draw such a thing upon his 
Majesty, but that he would do his best to 
serve him. I said, I wished he had put his 
weight rather upon a share of government, 
and a power to serve his country at this 
exigence. He replied it was nothing; he 
was persuaded that the Duke had never men- 
tioned it to the King. He testified much 
kindness and protestations of friendship, and 
desired to unite and act with me and mine. 
He also observed, that the Duke trusted the 
Chancellor no more than him, and suffered 
difference of opinion from him as impa- 
tiently. 

30. I had a long conversation with Lord Tem- 

ple, who took great pains to persuade me, that 
they were all very well satisfied with Mr. 



299 

Fox ; though to jealous minds there might be 1755. 

° . . r . May 30. 

pretence for suspicion, from the appearances 
and the consequences of their different con- 
duct ; they are desperate with the King, and 
have not yet been able to get possession, 
either of Leicester House or of the Duke of 
Cumberland. 



Mr. Fox spent the morning with me. We June 29. 
had a good deal of talk to no purpose. None 
of them dare come to any resolution. He was 
assured by the Duke of Argyll, that Stone 
was not well with the Princess. He heard by 
West, that the Duke of Newcastle, upon 
West's pressing to make up with him (Fox), 
said, that Stone was always advising the same 
thing, and had lost himself at his own court 
on that account. He said, that the Duke 
was with the Princess on the 22d instant, and 
proposed to her, taking the Prince with him 
to Portsmouth ; which she approved of, and 
desired him to ask the Prince himself — he 
did so, and the Prince agreed to it, but not 
with so much eagerness as might be expected. 
On Monday, Lord Waldegrave sent word he 
would wait on the Duke to settle the journey 
on Tuesday morning ; but, in the mean time, 



300 



17^5. the Princess had altered her opinion, and sent 
June 29. . ~ ' . r . . 

to put it off, on pretence it might give um- 
brage to the King. Fox refines, and is much 
dissatisfied with this transaction : the Duke 
does not, and says it is only from a resolution 
she has taken, not to be accountable for any 
thing with his Majesty. But Fox is very 
uneasy, and very solicitous to unite the Duke 
and the Princess, which is the only sure 
ground ; but I think it will be exceedingly 
difficult, if not impossible to effect. 

July 16. Lord Hallifax told me, that the Duke of 
Newcastle had mentioned his resolution of 
coming to some settlement : that Mr. Pitt did 
not absolutely insist upon being Secretary; 
but that there was a great unwillingness to 
speak out : that he (Hallifax) did not wonder 
at it. If the Duke was not in earnest, why 
did he send him such positive terms or desire 
a conference? Could he think, that Pitt would 
open himself upon hints, and to such a mes- 
senger as Mr. Yorke ? That the Duke, in a 
former conference, had expressed himself, 
<c how much concern it gave him, that I 
should make a speech against him — his reso- 
lution to make up with me — inquiries when I 



301 



went into Dorsetshire, and that, in this con- ^55. 
ference, he cried out of himself, We must have 
Dodington." Thus far Lord Hallifax — and 
to render intelligible what follows, and may 
follow, with relation to Mr. Pitt, I will throw 
out what I know of his situation all together. 
His extraordinary conversation with Mr. Fox, 
at Lord Hillsborough's, may be seen under 
May 9th. The other conference at Holland 
House, though somewhat more courtly, was 
not more satisfactory, and has never been re- 
newed. It seems that, a little before the 
King went to Hanover, old Horace Walpole^ 
either officiously, or being sent, tried to bring 
Mr. Pitt into temper, with hints that the 
Duke of Newcastle desired it, and would have 
done every thing in his power to serve him 
according to his wishes, and therefore he must 
not be inflexible, &c. Pitt replied, he was 
not, and did not insist upon the Seals now, 
but would be contented, as a proof of the 
Duke's sincerity, if he would take off all 
marks of proscription; that the King should 
agree that, when any vacancy happened, he 
should have the Seals, and should, in the mean 
time, treat him upon that foot. In this way, 
he would not desire any vacancy should be 



302 



1755. m ade for him. Old Horace seemed to give 
July 16. . & 

into this ; and here, let me insert, that Fox 

had heard from Lord Hartington, who was 
informed by old Horace himself, that the 
Duke of Newcastle was very angry with Ho- 
race, for having advanced so far ; and said, he 
had gone farther than his commission, or than 
the Duke could go, if he would, or would go, 
if he could. Then came on these extraordi- 
nary conferences, which, I confess, I do not 
yet understand. I know Mr. Fox imputes it 
to a design of Pitt, to fix himself with the 
Princess, and that, in order to do this, it 
became necessary to declare off with him, as 
the Duke of Cumberland's man. But I do 
not think so ; it is too refined for me, as no- 
body but Cresset (if he is) is in a settled con- 
fidence of measures with the Princess, and so 
I told him. 

In this state then, I suppose, Mr. Yorke 
found Mr. Pitt, when he appeared so cold as 
the Duke represented him to Lord Hallifax, 
when he sounded him by his Grace's order. 
But the real overture and answer was, as Mr. 
James Grenville told me, from Mr. Pitt in 
effect (though not avowedly), great assurances 



303 



of friendship and affection — resolution to T 1159 - 

r . July 10. 

bring about every thing he wished, as soon as 

possible — desirous that they might talk toge- 
ther, and they should soon agree, &c.— this 
was not by positive message, but by insinua- 
tion. The answer was, that as to friendship 
and confidence, that was entirely over ; it was 
Loss of time to talk any more in that style : 
that if even those assurances were to be carried 
into execution and were realities, it was a 
doubt whether they would be accepted : that 
he would not take, nor hold any thing as a 
favour from the Duke of Newcastle, nor ever 
will owe him any obligation : that therefore 
he saw no use in meetings or conferences. 
But if the Duke was really in earnest, and 
meant any thing, why did he not propose 
plainly the three things — What was the work 
he expected to be done ? Who were the gen- 
tlemen he proposed to do it ? And in what 
stations he designed them to act ? When he 
(Pitt) was clearly informed of those three 
points, he should be able to give an answer, 
after he had consulted his friends, gentlemen 
of honour and efficiency, whether it was to be 
undertaken or not, and upon what terms. 

I dined with the Duke of Argyll at Mr. 21. 



304 



1755. Fox's. When the company was gone, Fox 
' told me, he was sure that Mr. Pitt had made 
up with the Princess, and had it in view, when 
he declared off with him : that he had long 
cultivated (above six months) an acquaintance 
with one, no w r ay connected with the Duke of 
Newcastle, with whom he had the first confi- 
dential conference, since he saw me : that 
Pitt, in talking of things of that court, I think 
he called it his court, to that person, said he 
had heard that Stone was not so well there as 
usual : what could be the reason of it ? The 
person answered, Shall I tell you ? I fear you 
will not like it ; but as you command me, I 
will tell you. I take it to be from think- 
ing him too much in your interest. The 
same person told him (who sometimes con- 
verses with Cresset) that Mr. Pitt was better 
at that court than usual : to what degree, or 
by what means, he did not know; but that he 
found Cresset spoke more favourably of him, 
than he used to do. Fox continued then to 
say, that Lord Egmont w T as thought to have 
the chief management there; and that the 
Prince was much fonder of that Lord, than 
of any other man living. I said, that Mr. 
Pitt might have sent offers of service, per- 
haps by Lady Charlotte Edwin, whom my 



305 



women relations, the Grenvilles and Tern- 1755. 
pies, have been courting all the winter, and July2L 
that they might have been very civilly re- 
ceived and returned : but, that there had been 
any communication, or proposition of mea- 
sures between them, or even an audience, I 
did not believe. I might probably think 
there were no settled measures, but if there 
were, I thought that neither Pitt nor Egmont 
had the secret or the management of them, 
but Cresset only. What then could this trans- 
action, either real or imaginary, amount to 
but refinement ? Could it influence Mr. Pitt's 
acting in public? or his (Fox's) in consequence? 
Then we entered into the present state of af- 
fairs ; and he told me, that the courier, that 
came the 28th past, with the answer from 
Planover, which was expected to be a deci- 
sive one as to the sailing of the fleet, brought 
back a letter, which was neither written by 
Lord Holderness, nor dictated by the King, 
but which was certainly sent from hence by 
the Duke of Newcastle (to gain so much time 
for inaction) as a proper return for the King 
to make. For it acquainted them, that the 
King cannot give any positive orders about 
the operations of the fleet, till he was fully in- 

X 



306 



1755. formed of three particular things, which he 

July 21 • 

(Fox) said he had forgotten, but they were 
trifles : that those trifles were answered, and 
his Majesty was humbly advised to leave the 
direction of the fleet to their discretion; and 
that, by the return of the courier, he had done 
so : that now, till they had digested something 
positive, they agreed to send an order to Sir 
Edward Hawke, that he should sail with 
about sixteen ships of the line to Torbay, and 
there expect farther instructions: that these 
farther instructions were to be drawn up by 
Lord Anson and Sir Thomas Robinson : that 
the Duke of Cumberland had said, if they had 
any prospect of a peace, he had nothing to 
say; but if they were convinced it must be 
war, he had no notion of not making the most 
of the strength and opportunity we had in our 
hands : that, afterwards, in a window with the 
Dukes of Marlborough and Newcastle, the 
latter said, that, what his Royal Highness had 
declared, was full of very good sense, though 
he was not entirely of the same opinion: that 
Lord Grenville was absolutely against med- 
dling with trade — he called it, vexing your 
neighbours for a little muck — but that the 
Duke of Newcastle was by no means of that 



307 



opinion, but thought some middle way might 1755. 
be found out. He was asked, what way ? He 
answered, that, to be sure, Hawke must go 
out ; but that he might be ordered not to at- 
tack the enemy, unless he thought it worth 
while. He was answered, that Haw T ke was 
too wise to do any thing at all, which others, 
when done, were to pronounce he ought to be 
hanged for. The Duke replied, what if he 
had orders not to fall upon them, unless they 
were more in number together than ten ? He 
was answered, that the returned part of the 
Brest squadron, now at Lisbon, is but nine. 
The Duke said, he meant that of merchant- 
men only, for, to be sure, he must attack any 
squadron of ships of war. He was asked, 
what was a squadron ? He said, three ships or 
more. This absurdity is inconceivable. What 
orders they will give to Hawke to-morrow, I 
shall not go out of my way to inquire. 

Mons. de Mirepoix set out about one o'clock 22. 
this morning. The sole question is, whether 
France will submit to purchase the getting 
home her trade and sailors, and having the 
winter to tamper with Spain, at a little loss of 
reputation, in tamely suffering an insalt for a 
x <2 



308 



1755. while— If she should, I verily think his Grace 
ULY 22 « would not be inclined to be rude. But the 
departure of Mons. de Mirepoix looks as if the 
French would take it up with a high hand, 
and this may render Hawke's instructions 
something more explicit. Mr. Fox assured 
me of one thing yesterday, which surprised 
me much : he said, that the Russians, hitherto, 
had refused our subsidy; as also, that the 
Queen of Hungary had absolutely refused, 
not only our money, but to have any thing to 
do with us, saying, it is our own quarrel, and 
she will not be concerned in it. She is sure, 
that the French will not meddle with her, and 
therefore she will send no troops into Flan- 
ders, even if we would be at the whole ex- 
pense. He added, that, upon his telling his 
Royal Highness, that the Duke of Newcastle 
was for a naval war, his Royal Highness 
laughed at him, and said, it was, because he 
could get nobody to take his money, and that 
he ordered, of his own authority, that more 
money should be offered to the Russians, than 
the Regency knew of, or even the King (as 
he supposed). I pressed Fox much (who did 
not seem to feel the force of it) to try if he 
could fix such a fact on the Duke of New- 



309 

castle, which is not only criminal in itself, 1755. 

JULY 22. 

but if it was approved of afterwards, would be 
sufficient to frighten him out of his wits, for 
having acted extra-prcvincially. I was sur- 
prised, that Fox did not see it in the same 
light, and I shall press him again. 

I saw Lord Temple at Carleton House, who Aug. s. 
assured me, that neither Mr. Pitt nor himself, 
knew, or had heard one word more, than what 
Mr. James Grenville had acquainted me with. 
I also saw Mr. Fox there, who told me, that 
the Duke of Newcastle was angry with the 
Duke, and would hardly speak to his Royal 
Highness; and that he himself (Fox) had not 
changed a word with his Grace since he saw 
me last : that the Hessian treaty was signed, 
and that Hawke's orders were of the compro- 
mising kind— and this is all that is weak and 
ruinous. 

Lord Hallifax was with me. He was with 4 « 
the Duke of Newcastle at dinner on Saturday, 
and yesterday again, by the Duke's desire. 
His Grace did not tell him Hawke's instruc- 
tions, but he finds that they are not to meddle 
with the trade, nor, as he suspects, to attack 






310 



1755. the men of war unprovoked. He thinks, they 
will by no means declare war, if the French 
do not. 



At last Lord Hallifax took the Duke into 
another room, and told him, that as he had 
laid before his Grace the state of his affairs, 
and had given him his sincere opinion, which 
his Grace seemed to approve of at the time, 
but had, he believed, never thought of since, 
he would trouble him no more upon that head : 
that he thought himself very ill used; but, if 
his Grace thought he could go on without any 
settlement, it was well — he (Hallifax) thought 
it impossible, and though he had hitherto been 
very lucky, yet the w T hole would certainly 
break about his ears. The Duke said, he still 
approved of what he (Hallifax) had advised, 
and he was of the same intention to do it, but 
that he could settle nothing till the King re- 
turned. Lord Hallifax replied, that was his 
Grace's affair, and he did not care if his Grace 
made Mr. Pitt Secretary ; but if he made any 
alterations, that he (Hallifax) expected to have 
justice done him ; he was a wretch, a nobody; 
he would be of the Cabinet, and have access 
to the King, if any thing was done. The 



311 



Duke said, he was surprised to hear him talk 1755 
in this manner, and went on, as if it was lay- 
ing him under new difficulties. To which 
Lord Hallifax replied, that he found it was 
more necessary to talk so, than he at first 
thought ; for by his Grace's surprise, it was 
plain, that he never thought of it at all : that, 
though a lover of an active life, yet in the 
way he was treated, he was weary of it, and 
would quit it, if justice was not done him: 
that he found, Boscawen was coming home, 
and he believed the Duke of Newcastle un- 
derstood that part of the squadron was to re- 
turn with him, and a force equal to what was 
in Louisbourg, to be left for a time : that he 
(Hallifax) opposed this strongly, and said, if 
the force to be left is but equal, suppose the 
French should come out and beat them, is it 
impossible? Suppose the squadron, under La 
Mothe, at Quebec, should know that there 
was but an equal number left, might they not 
fall upon them, and be joined by those in 
Louisbourg, was that impossible ? That the 
enemy was certainly straitened in provisions, 
and if a superior force remained there, the 
place, in all probability, must fall to us. The 
Duke said, the ships could not winter there, 



312 



1755. 
Aug. 4. 



and Lord Anson was of that opinion. Lord 
Hallifax replied, he did not regard Lord An- 
son's opinion against fact ; for he would main- 
tain, that the whole navy might ride, the 
whole winter, in Hallifax harbour, with the 
utmost safety: that the Albany sloop had 
.been there these five years, and bad cost as 
little in repairs, as any other vessel, and is now 
gone out again. The reasoning seemed to be 
thus — If you leave those seas, the French will 
come out, and Louisbourg will be victualled. 
If you leave but a small force, it will be in 
danger from the ships there, and from a junc- 
tion of those now in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 
The French cannot remain there in Novem- 
ber, without being frozen up. You can stay, 
because the harbour of Hallifax is never 
frozen, or very slightly ; and you are at sea 
from thence in seven hours, and therefore 
never need have the same ships out above a 
week at a time ; so, if the enemy appears, you 
take them — if not, you freeze them up, and 
their numbers will add to the want of provi- 
sions in the placet The Duke of Newcastle 
pressed him to give.him these hints in writing; 
which Lord Hallifax declined. 



313 



I passed the day at Kew. The Princess 175 $. 

. . . Aug. 6. 

has had nothing of Hawke s instructions, or 

any thing else communicated to her, and she 
expressed her dissatisfaction at it. She in- 
veighed most bitterly against the not pushing 
the French every where. The people would 
not surely bear it, when the Parliament met. 
I said, I believed they would. Surely, said 
she, the Parliament would never bear the suf- 
fering the French to bring home their trade 
and sailors, &c. She saw the terrible conse- 
quences of it, and of a patched-up peace, 
which must break out, when the French had 
perfected their naval plan, and fall upon her 
son, young and inexperienced, at the begin- 
ning of his reign. I said, I doubted if any 
body would interfere; but if they should, I 
hope, Madam, you would not take it ill. I ! 
says she ; no, indeed, very far from it ; I am 
sure, I have no reason nor any thing like it. 
She was very solicitous to push the war, and 
wished Hanover in the sea, as the cause of all 
our misfortunes. I said, I presumed to differ 
with her, that I was as ready to defend Han- 
over, as Hampshire, if attacked on our ac- 
count. I thought it no encumbrance if pro- 
perly treated j and the only difference be- 



314 



1755. 
Aug. <3. 



tween me and the Ministers, was not about the 
thing, but the manner. She said, she perfect- 
ly understood me ; and it would be so in an- 
other reign, but could not be in this : that, in 
the manner it had been treated, it had been 
the foundation of all just complaints and bad 
measures. I asked her, if she could account 
for Lord Anson and the Duke of Cumberland 
concurring in tying up Hawke's hands : the 
one, as a sea General, unconnected at least ; 
the other, as a land General, at open enmity 
with the Duke of Newcastle ? she said, she 
could not, for the Duke had strongly declared 
(though not to her, who had not much con- 
versation with him) for a naval war. I replied, 
that might be the language of good sense on- 
ly, as being the popular cry, with hopes, that 
a sea war might probably light up a land one. 
She said, I was right — and added, nobody 
knew what to do — no two people were toge- 
ther — she chose to sit still, thinking it the 
only prudent part, as every body was dis- 
united. I said, that the general diffidence 
she described was the cause of the infinite 
speculation and refinement that now prevail- 
ed : for as nobody knew, so every one was 
guessing each other — in which her Royal 



315 



Highness had a principal share— she replied, 1755. 
nobody, surely, could stand clearer than she, 1 UG ' ' 
for the world must know every body that she 
saw, and when. She took serious pains to 
convince me, that she had no fixed settlement 
or connexions at all. She may deceive me; 
but I am persuaded, she has no fixed, digested 
political plan, or regular communication in 
politics, with any body, except Mr. Cresset. 
She then told me, that the King had sent to 
invite the two Princesses of Brunswick to 
Hanover ; they came, but their mother (the 
King of Prussia's sister), who was not invited, 
came with them — we talked of the match — 
surely he would not marry her son, without 
acquainting her with it so much as by letter 
— I said, certainly not, as he had always be- 
haved very politely to her. It may be so, she 
replied -, but how can this be reconciled ? In 
this manner, said I; nothing will be settled at 
Hanover -, but when the King comes back, he 
may say in conversation, and commending 
the Prince's figure, that he wishes to see him 
settled, before he dies, and that he has seen 
such and such young Princesses, and, though 
he would settle nothing, without her parti- 
cipation, yet he could wish to see the Prince 



316 

\753. settled before his death, and therefore, if she 
had no objection, he should thin 
Princesses a very suitable party. 



UG * 6 * had no objection, he should think one of those 



She paused, and said, no: he was not that 
sort of man : but, if he should settle the match 
without acquainting her with it, she should let 
him know how ill she took it ; and if he did it 
in the manner I mentioned, she should not 
fail to tell him fairly and plainly, that it was 
full early; and that she had eight other child- 
ren to be provided for; that she hoped, he 
would think of doing for them, and not leave 
her eldest son eight young children to take 
care of, before he had one of his own : that it 
was probable the Prince might have so many, 
that hers could not expect much provision. 
She was determined to behave so, whenever 
the King spoke to her about it. She thought 
the match premature: the Prince ought to 
mix with the world — the marriage would pre- 
vent it — he was shy and backward, the match 
would shut him up for ever, with two or three 
friends of his, and as many of hers. That he 
was much averse to it himself, and that she 
disliked the alliance extremely ; that the young 
woman was said to be handsome, and had all 



317 

good qualities and abundance of wit, &c. but 
if she took after her mother, she will never do 
here— the Duke of Brunswick, indeed, her fa- 
ther, is a very worthy man. — Pray, madam, 
said I, what is her mother ? as I know nothing 
at all about her. — Why, said she, her mother is 
the most intriguing, meddling, and also the 
most satirical, sarcastical person in the world, 
and will always make mischief wherever she 
comes. Such a character would not do with 
George; it would not only hurt him in his 
public, but make him uneasy in his private si- 
tuation; that he was not a wild, dissipated 
boy, but good-natured and cheerful, with a se- 
rious cast upon the whole — that those, about 
him, knew him no more, than if they had 
never seen him. That he was not quick, but, 
with those he was acquainted, applicable and 
intelligent. His education had given her 
much pain ; his book-learning she was no 
judge of, though she supposed it small or use- 
less ; but she hoped he might have been in- 
structed in the general understanding of things. 
That she did not know Lord Waldegrave, and 
as to Mr. Stone, if she was to live forty years 
in the house with him, she should never be 
better acquainted with him than she was. 



1755. 
Aug. 6. 






318 



1755. She once desired him to inform the Prince 
about the constitution ; but he declined it, to 
avoid giving jealousy to the Bishop of Nor- 
wich ; and that she had mentioned it again, 
but he still declined it, as not being his pro- 
vince. Pray, madam, said I, what is his pro- 
vince ? she said, she did not know, unless it 
was, to go before the Prince upstairs ; to walk 
with him sometimes, seldom to ride with him, 
and, now and then, to dine with him — but 
when they did walk together, the Prince gene- 
rally took that time, to think of his own affairs 
and to say nothing. She showed me a letter 
from Hanover, that said, the news of Bosca- 
wen's action, which came here on the 15th of 
June, got to Hanover on the 20th — that Bussy 
had his audience the 17th, and his letters of 
recall the 22d, but was not gone on the 25th. 
She wished extremely, that he was gone, lest 
he should frighten them into some unbecoming 
compliance, as he had done, once before — I 
had afterwards much talk with the Prince 
about funding and other serious matters, who 
seemed to hear with attention and satisfac- 
tion. 

18. I was at Holland House, and had a long 



319 



conversation with Mr. Fox: he said, the Hes- 1755, 
sian subsidy was ratified — that the Duke of 
Newcastle bade Mr. Amyand read Lord Hol- 
derness's letter to the Regency, acquainting 
them, that the King had made such a treaty, 
and caused him to observe, that his Majesty 
directed the Chancellor to fix the seal to it, 
who only bowed, and their Lordships signed it 
without reading it, as a thing of course. That 
the first directions to Lord Anson and Sir Tho- 
mas Robinson, to draw Hawke's instructions, 
were, that he should take and destroy all 
French ships of war, but no merchantmen — 
when they were brought to the select persons 
of the Regency, they had altered them and re- 
strained Hawke from taking any but ships of 
the line. The Duke of Cumberland, in this 
little assembly, was expressing his dislike of 
the alteration, when the Duke of Newcastle 
came in, and interrupted his Highness by 
saying, that he was glad of the alteration, be- 
cause he knew that it was more conformable 
to the King's way of thinking, and then de- 
sired his Highness to proceed; who said, that 
he knew his Grace had correspondences at Ha- 
nover, which he did not communicate to him ; 
but he did not know, that his Grace had taken 









320 



1755. his Majesty's pleasure, upon that head, till 



Aug. 18. 



now, when he was pleased to declare it — that, 
since it was so, he had too many ties ever to 
say a word against his Majesty's pleasure, 
when he knew it. When the instructions 
came to the bottom of the table to be signed 
by him (Fox) ; he asked Lord Anson, if there 
were no objections to them, who said, yes, a 
hundred, but it pleases those at the upper end 
of the table, and will signify nothing, for the 
French will declare war next week, if they 
have not done it already. But, said I, that did 
not happen — No, replied he, and therefore I 
am very sorry that I signed them. But in a 
few days, the Duke was very desirous to have 
them altered, as well as the Duke of Marlbo- 
rough and myself; and in the morning before 
the Regency met, he endeavoured to have them 
extended, but without effect — when the Re- 
gency was over, the Duke of Marlborough 
and I desired to speak with the Duke of New- 
castle, and I told him, how absurd I thought 
it, that we, who had begun the war, should 
suffer the hands, to pass by us, that were to be 
employed against us, &c. that I desired him to 
remember, though I had made no objection at 
the Regency, yet I now did, and privately to 






321 



him, declare my disapprobation to these or- 1755 - 
ders. The Duke of Marlborough did the same. 
In the afternoon, a note came to Lord Anson, 
while he was at dinner at Mr. Fox's, to meet 
that evening at the Duke's lodgings, the result 
of which was to send directions to Hawke to 
seize or destroy every thing French, trade or 
men of war, between Cape Artegal and Cape 
Clear, and so it now stands. Mr. Fox added 
that, besides the Hessian, a subsidiary treats- 
was concluded with Russia, as he understood, 
though he had not heard, directly, from Wil- 
liams. He did not speak out about that cor- 
respondence. The subsidy was 1 00,000/. per 
annum for four years, to hold in readiness 
50 or 60,000 men, for which, when we em- 
ployed them, we were to pay 500,000/. per 
annum. He also supposed, that there would 
be subsidies to Bavaria, and others. Mr. Fox 
continued, that he had, of late, had opportu- 
nities of conversing much with the Duke of 
Devonshire, occasioned by his son's affairs: 
that he was open and vehement against all sub- 
sidies whatsoever ; that the nation could not 
carry on a naval war with France, and sup- 
port Hanover, and that it must take care of 
itself: that we had followed the king's poli- 

V 






322 



1755. tics too long, and the King must be told that 



Aug. 18 



the nation could not support the expense of 
both : that the Duke of Newcastle held by 
nothing but absolute submission ; and he must 
not, nor would he contradict the King in any 
thing. Fox said, that Lord Granville told the 
Duke of Newcastle, that he would be served 
himself, as he and his brother had served him 
(Granville). They would not abuse him, 
themselves, but would sit still and rather en- 
courage the abuse, than defend him. He po- 
sitively knew some considerable people, not 
suspected of an inclination to differ, who would 
be absolutely against all subsidy whatsoever — 
he did not name them, nor would he to him 
(Fox). Mr. Fox said, that, talking this matter 
of subsidies over with the Duke, his Highness 
said in a word, that he was very sorry for them, 
that the bent of the nation was strong against 
subsidies for Germany, and that it would be 
brought to endure them with much reluctance : 
that his Highness laid no great weight upon 
the point of honour, for it would not do with 
the bulk of the people : that we should see a 
strong exertion of power on one hand, and a 
strong dislike and restiveness on the other. 1 
said, I thought Hanover might, and ought to 



323 



be defended ; the question was only, who was 1755. 
to pay for it, and in what proportions ? Mr. 
Fox replied, he was surprised that I was not 
against all subsidies. I told him that those I 
should be for, would hardly be the ministerial 
ones; but I desired to know what those Rus- 
sians were to do ? Why, said he, to prevent 
the King of Prussia from attacking Hanover in 
conjunction with the French. I answered, 
the King of Prussia would not attack Hanover. 
He said, he was glad to hear me say so, and 
hoped I could make it out. I said, there was 
time enough for that, and for my ideas of de- 
fending Hanover. He might imagine, that I 
had not given myself the trouble to digest my 
thoughts with very great exactness, much less 
to put them into writing; but that, whenever 
he came to act, I would lay every thing I knew 
before him without reserve, but it was now 
uselebs to digest and discuss what might never 
come into operation. 

Mr. Pitt called on me, and acquainted me Sept. 2. 
that he had seen the Ministers, and that lie was 
to see the Duke of Newcastle at his own de- 
sire, at seven this evening. He began upon the 
subsidies : that the Hessiau he knew of for 
Y 2 






S c 24 



1755. 8000 men, as a warrant for the levy money was 
come to his office : that he would support a 
naval war to the utmost, but, by no means, a 
continental one : the nation could not support 
both : it would carry us up to seven millions 
the first year, and would go on increasing ; — 
'twas bankruptcy. Regard should be had to 
Hanover, no doubt, but secondarily: we 
should never lay down our arms without pro- 
curing satisfaction for any damage they should 
receive on our account 5 but we could not find 
money to defend it by subsidies, and if we 
could, that was not the way to defend it. An 
open country was not to be defended against 
a neighbour who had 150,000 men, and an 
enemy that had 150,000 more to back them. 
In short, he urged many strong, ingenious, 
and solid reasons, for making a stand against 
them, and giving no subsidies at all : that the 
King's honour would be pressed, &c. and 
therefore, if the Duke of Newcastle would be 
contented with this Hessian subsidy for this 
once only, and engage, zoith proper security, 
never to offer another during the whole course 
of the war, and receive it as a compliment to 
the King for this once ; never to be renewed 
or attempted again, but to be looked upon as 



325 



putting a final end to continental subsidies ; 1755 - 

& Sept. 2. 

then — though it would not be right, yet he 

might not absolutely reject it, but might ask 
other gentlemen's opinion about it : but for 
the Russian subsidy of 120,000/. per annum, 
and 500,000/. per annum when we took the 
number of men into pay, which treaty he heard 
was signed, if not ratified, he could never come 
into it upon any account — 'twas better to speak 
plain, there was no end of these things : it was 
deceiving and ruining ourselves, and leading 
Hanover into a snare ; for if 70,000 men would 
not be sufficient, we must take more, till they 
were sufficient, which would ruin us, or we 
must give them up at last, when we had drawn 
a war upon them : that the Duke of Newcastle 
had made a person write to him (Pitt) to say, 
that the Duke was sorry that he was obliged 
to go into Sussex the next day, but that the 
Chancellor did not go to Wimpole till Wednes- 
day, and he should be obliged to Mr. Pitt, 
if he would call upon the Chancellor, which 
he did. The Chancellor told him, that he 
hoped, he would assist them cordially in their 
business; that the King had, indeed, taken 
prejudices which were disagreeable, and that 
steps had been taken to remove them, before 



326 



1755. h e went to Hanover: that they had been the 
bEPT. 2. SUD ject of correspondence since : that they had 
not all the success they could wish, as yet, but 
they hoped they would: that the King was 
very fond of Lord Holderness and Sir Thomas 
Robinson : but if any accident should happen, 
it might probably be brought about, in case he 
would assist them cordially, that they might 
procure the seals for him, which he so much 
desired. When the Chancellor had finished, 
Mr. Pitt replied, that he must begin with his 
last words — the seals which he so much desired 
■ — of whom ? — he did not remember that he 
had ever applied to his Lordship for them : he 
was sure, he never had to the Duke of New- 
castle; and did assure the Chancellor, that if 
they could prevail upon his Majesty to give 
them to him, under his present dislike, all the 
use he would make of them, would be to lay 
them at his Majesty's feet: that, till the King 
liked it, and thought it necessary to his ser- 
vice, and till his Ministers desired it, he never 
would accept the seals : that he knew, the 
King had lately said, that he had intruded 
himself into office: that the Chancellor knew 
how much he was misinformed, and if he 
should ask for any favour, it would be, that 



327 



they should inform his Majesty better: the i~55. 
Chancellor had said a great deal, but he de- 
sired his Lordship to let him know, what he 
was expected to assist in, and what was the 
work ? Why, replied the Chancellor, to carry 
on the war they were engaged in. He said, 
there was no doubt of his concurrence in carry- 
ing on the war, as it was a national war ; and 
he thought that regard ought to be had to 
Hanover, if it should be attacked upon our ac- 
count — the Chancellor stopped him short, and 
said, he was extremely pleased that they 
agreed in their principles, and that both 
thought Hanover should be defended, Mr. 
Pitt desired his Lordship to observe the words 
he had used, " that regard was to be had to 
Hanover," and then said all he had said to me 
before, as to our inability to defend it, and the 
impropriety of the defence by subsidy. The 
Chancellor said, that he understood that the 
Commons, the last session, had tacitly allowed, 
that Hanover must be defended : that, in con- 
sequence of that acquiescence, there was a 
subsidiary treaty for 8000 Hessians in the 
usual form, and also, a treaty for a body of 
Russians. 

Hut where Mr. Pitt laid the greatest stress, 



328 



1755. 
Sept. 2. 



was on what the Chancellor in reasoning had 
said; to be sure, those things (meaning subsi- 
dies) should have their bounds, and that, he was 
afraid, they would not be very popular ; and 
when he was enforcing the necessity of putting 
a total stop to them, and leaving Hanover to 
tbe system and constitution of the empire, the 
Chancellor seemed to acquiesce in the reason, 
but told him, he must be sensible, that talking 
in that manner would not make way with the 
King. Mr. Pitt still persisted in not giving 
into the subsidy, and the Chancellor desired 
him to see the Duke of Newcastle, and to talk 
it over with him. Mr. Pitt said that, if the 
Duke sent to desire to speak with him, he 
would wait on his Grace, and not otherwise. 



Mr. Pitt thought that the Duke of Devon- 
shire would oppose subsidies, and might be 
brought to do it in the House of Lords. He 
had seen the Duke of Bedford, who talked 
warmly and sensibly about them. He left me, 
fully determined to tell the Duke of Newcastle 
plainly, that he would not come into the Rus- 
sian subsidy upon any account ; nor into any 
thing else, till he was well apprised of the mea- 
sures ; till he knew who were to carry them 
into execution, and in what stations thev wen. 



329 



to be ; and till the House was properly treated, 1755. 
and gentlemen were made easy, who had a 
right to be so. He had not seen Lord Eg- 
mont. but knew he had been sent to with an 
offer of Sir William Young's place. He hoped 
his Lordship had given no positive answer. 
He promised to acquaint me with the result of 
the conference he was to have this evening, 
with the Duke of Newcastle, before he went 
back into the country, which he should do to- 
morrow. 

Mr. Pitt returned to me, and told me, that 3 - 
he had painted to the Duke all the ill conse- 
quences of this system of subsidies in the 
strongest light, that his own imagination, 
heightened by my suggestions, could furnish 
him with. He had deprecated his Grace, not 
to complete the ruin which the King had 
nearly brought upon himself by his journey to 
Hanover, which all people should have pre- 
vented, even witli their bodies. — A King abroad, 
at this time, without one man about him, that 
has one English sentiment, and to bring home 
a whole set of sulfsidies ! — That he was willing 
to promote the King's service, but if this was 
what he was sent for to promote, few words 






330 



1755. were best — nothing in the world should induce 
him to agree to these subsidies. The Duke 
was tedious and perplexed, and would have 
persuaded him what a pretty figure he would 
make, when he was a Cabinet Counsellor: 
that the King was highly pleased with both 
his Secretaries ; but if any accident should 
make a vacancy, to be sure the King would 
be glad of his services, &c. Mr. Pitt said, that 
he did not desire such vacancy, nor the office ; 
that he had declared, when pressed about the 
House of Commons, that, if they expected 
him, or any one else, to do their business in 
that house, they must give him proper di- 
stinction and powers; that, in short, the Duke's 
system of carrying on the business of the 
House, he believed, would not do, and that, 
while he had life and breath to utter, he would 
oppose it : that there must be men of efficiency 
and authority, in the House ; a Secretary and 
a Chancellor of the Exchequer at least, who 
should have access to the Crown; habitual, 
frequent, familiar access he meant, that they 
might tell their own story, to do themselves 
and their friends justice, ana not be the vic- 
tims of a whisper: that he (Pitt) esteemed 
both the Secretaries, but he supposed some- 



331 



thing was wanting, or why was he sent for? 1755. 
if they were necessary to government, no doubt EPT " ' * 
they could carry on government, and he 
should be glad of it ; for his part, if the Mi- 
nistry asked nothing of him, he asked nothing 
of them. The Duke then said, that the system 
of subsidies, indeed, was not to be insisted 
upon, bat two did not make a system : the 
King's honour was now engaged, and he en- 
larged much upon that point. Mr. Pitt re- 
plied, that he had a deep regard for the King's 
honour, but that the system of subsidies was so 
fatal, that he could not think of submitting to 
100,000/. unless it was given by gentlemen 
who became pledges to each other, and to the 
public, that nothing of the like kind should 
ever be offered again ; and unless it should be 
notoriously declared and understood on both 
sides, that it was given and received, as a mark 
of the affection of a ruined nation, to save the 
honour of its King, who had entered into a 
rash engagement : but for two, it was the same 
a> twenty, and no persuasion should make him 
lor them. He then desired his (iraeeto think 
seriously of the conse<|iienees — What, if the 
Duke of Devonshire should begin the opposi- 
tion in the House of Lords? If he did, he 



332 



1755. (Pitt) would not conceal it ffom the Duke of 

Sept. 3, 

Newcastle ; he would echo it in the House of 

Commons, as loudly, and with all the powers 

he was able to exert : — But was this all ? — 

were there no subsidies to be renewed ? The 

Duke mumbled that the Saxon and Bavarian 

were offered and pressed, but there was nothing 

done in them : that the Hessian was perfected, 

but the Russian was not concluded. Whether 

the Duke meant unsigned, or unratified, we 

cannot tell, but we understand it is signed. 

When his Grace dwelt so much upon the 

King's honour, Mr. Pitt asked him — what, if 

out of the fifteen millions the King had saved, 

he should give his kinsman of Hesse 100,000/. 

and the Czarina 150,000/. to be off from these 

bad bargains, and not suffer the suggestions, 

so dangerous to his own quiet and the safety 

of his family, to be thrown out, which would, 

and must be, insisted upon in a debate of this 

nature ? Where would be the harm of it ? 

The Duke had nothing to say, but desired they 

might talk it over again with the Chancellor ; 

Mr. Pitt replied, he was at their command, 

though nothing could alter his opinion. 

We then, Mr. Pitt and I, talked over whom 



333 



we could engage; to whom he had communi- 1V55. 

Sept 3 

cated this affair? He said, that Mr. Legge 
was firm as a rock. He was shy about Lord 
Egmont, but said he had seen him ; he was re- 
ceived very kindly, and Lord Egmont seemed 
to enter into the thing; but what might 
happen, when offers were made, he (Pitt) could 
not tell. He desired me to apply to Lord 
Hillsborough and Sir Francis Dashwood — I 
mentioned Oswald — he said he thought that 
Oswald was with us (if so, it must be by 
Legge). I asked him, if he had communicat- 
ed it to Mr. Fox ? He answered, No, nor did 
he design to do it ; he would tell me the whole 
of his thoughts upon that matter : that he 
wished Mr. Fox very well, and had nothing to 
complain of ; but that they could not act to- 
gether, because they were not on the same 
ground : that Mr. Fox owned to him that he 
(Fox) was not sui juris ; he could not blame 
him for it, but he, who was sui juris, could not 
act in connexion with one who was not. He 
(Pitt) was ready, in the last session, to proceed 
any lengths against the Duke of Newcastle; 
but when it came to the push, Mr. Fox ac- 
knowledged he could not, and went on, through 
the whole session, compromising every thing 






334 



2755. when it began to pinch — the Reading elec- 
tion ; the linen affair ; and when Ireland began 
to be a thorn, Mr. Fox's great friend, Lord 
Harrington, was to take it out : that by these 
means, Mr. Fox had taken the smooth part, 
and had left him to be fallen upon : Fox had 
risen upon his shoulders, but he did not blame 
him ; and he only showed me, how impossible 
it was for two to act together, who did not 
stand upon the same ground. Besides this, 
Mr. Fox lived with his greatest enemies, Lord 
Granville, Messrs. Stone and Murray. Mr. 
Fox was reported by the Duke of Newcastle, 
that he had lately offered himself to the Duke 
— I here interrupted Mr. Pitt, by saying, I was 
confident it was false : he said, he knew the 
Duke of Newcastle was a very great liar, and 
therefore, if Mr. Fox denied it, he should not 
hesitate a moment which he should believe. 
I then said, that, as those who united in this 
attack were to part no more, it would be 
proper to think what was to be held out to 
them, if they succeeded : he declined this, and 
said, it would look too much like a faction ; 
there was nothing country in it. If we suc- 
ceeded, to be sure those, who contributed, 
must, and would be considered, when the first 



335 



opportunity offered ; but to engage for specifi- 1755. 
cal things and times, he thought no one man EPT ' v 
had any title, except myself: that for me, any 
thing, every thing that I liked, ought to be the 
common cause, and he was ready to enter into 
any engagements with me. He then express- 
ed himself strangely as to me : that he thought 
me of the greatest consequence; no man in 
this country would be more listened to, both 
in and out of the House, &c. &c. — that he 
was most desirous to connect and unite him- 
self with me in the strictest manner — he ever 
had the highest regard for my abilities — we 
had always acted upon the same principles : 
he had the honour of being married into my 
relations; every thing invited him to it. He 
added a great deal more, that surprised me 
\r iv much, considering the treatment I have 
met with, for- years past, both from him and 
those relations. It surprised me so much, 
that all I said was, that I was much obliged to 
him, but that he might depend upon it, that I 
would hot accept of his friendship, or of any 
mark oi" his confidence, without meeting him 
more than half way. 

Thus far, houwc r, is i^rtmuitc, and I am 






336 

175.5. glad to find, that I shall be supported in a step, 
^ EPT - a - which, for my own credit, as well as for the in- 
terest of my country, I must have taken, 
though I had met with no support at all. 

Oct. 6. Lord Hallifax dined with me, and we settled 
how he was to behave to the Duke of New- 
castle, on account of a letter to him from his 
Grace, pressing him to engage me in the King's 
service. 

8. Lord Hallifax had been with the Duke of 

Newcastle, who pressed him much on my ac- 
count, and begged him to obtain a meeting 
with me. I agreed to go to Newcastle House 
next Friday. 

io, I went first to Lord Hallifax, and then to 

Newcastle House. I was much pressed to 
join his Grace, but I absolutely refused being 
for the Russian subsidy on any account. 

19. I settled preliminaries, which, with the con- 

versation at Newcastle House, are to be found 
among my papers. 

Nov. 20. Messrs. Pitt, Legge, and George Gren- 



337 



rille received letters of dismission, and James T 1755 * 
Grenville resigned the Board of Trade. 

I went, by desire, to Newcastle House. His Dec. 17. 
Grace, with many assurances of confidential 
friendship, told me, that he had the King's 
permission to offer me the Treasury of the 
Navy, which I accepted. 

I waited upon the Princess to acquaint her Dec. jq. 
with what had passed — but her Royal High- 
ness received me very coolly. 

I kissed the King's hand as Treasurer of the 22. 
Navy. 

Question upon the dividing the Vice Trea- ^ 5 Q t 
surership of Ireland into three. It was pro- Jan - 2(5# 
posed and supported by Messrs. Pitt, Potter, 
and their friends. 

I was sent for to Newcastle House about the f eb . 4, 
Loan, which failed from Sir John Barnard's 
affectation of showing his superior credit and 
abilities, by raising money at a price, at which 
it is not to be had in the quantity wanted. I 
subscribed .00,000/. public money. 

Z 



338 



1756. 
Feb. 26. 



The American bill was read the third time ; 
which was opposed, with insufferable length 
and obstinacy, by Mr. Pitt and his friends. 



May. 6. I waited on the Duke of Newcastle, who 
told me with much warmth and anxiety, that 
they had had an account by the Spanish Mi- 
nister, that the French finished their debarka- 
tion upon Minorca, the 20th instant. That 
they had taken Mahon, and pretended to take 
St. Philip's, by the end of the month. And 
also, that, as soon as they had finished their de- 
barkation, Mons. de la Galissionere stood out 
to sea, off the Island, to intercept our suc- 
cours ; so that, before now, there must have 
been a naval action between him and Byng. 
Galissionere has twelve ships of the line, and 
Byng ten very good. I said, as we were alone, 
that it was astonishing that Byng was not there 
a month ago. He said, he was not ready, and 
he was obliged to stay two or three days for his 
last 200 men. That we had but 63 ships of 
the line in Europe, and even those still wanted 
4000 men. That it was impar congressus, and 
that Mirepoix had told him, that 30 of his 
master's ships would amuse 80 of ours. That, 
if Hawke and Boscawen did not join, we had 



339 



no naval force equal to what the enemy had 1756. 
at Brest. I asked, why were you not ready ? ' 6 * 

why have you not more ships, and more men ? 
he replied, he had not the direction of the sea, 
and his Grace laid a great deal of blame there. 
And without naming Lord Anson, he showed 
himself extremely dissatisfied with him ; but 
conjured me, upon my honour, not to mention 
to any body, what he had said upon that head. 
He concluded with insisting that the island 
must be retaken. 

I called upon Mr. Fox. He was full of ?. 
concern. He would have sent a squadron, 
and a strong one, the first week in March, but 
could not prevail. Lord Anson assured him, 
and took it upon himself, that Byng's squadron 
would beat any thing the French had, or could 
have, in the Mediterranean. 

Mr. Fox came to me in the House, and after 17. 
saying that he must shortly call on me, to talk 
a little freely, as he was very uneasy at the 
posture of public affairs, and particularly, with 
his own situation. That the Duke of New- 
castle was unusually light and trifling, yester- 
day, when his Grace dined with him : that 
Z 2 



340 



tlfti. he was extremely pleased with what he 
' (Fox) had declared, on Friday last, in the 
House, which was, that Lord Anson author- 
ised him to say, that the Duke had never ob- 
structed the sending sooner to the Mediterra- 
nean (which was more, says he, than he could 
ever make Lord Anson say before), but that 
they were all agreed upon that point, &c. 
That, therefore, nobody blamed him; that 
the city imputed nothing to him, as the sea 
was not his province. Fox asked him, from 
whence he had that news ? — he replied, from 
Garraway's. Fox said, that, if he could be- 
lieve any thing he heard, the city were extreme- 
ly displeased with the leaving Minorca ex- 
posed, and that, generally, it would be ever 
true, that those who had the chief direction in 
an Administration, would bear the greatest 
share of blame, and that those people deceived 
him, who told him it was otherwise now. The 
Duke stilt persisted that nobody thought him 
to blame, and that, after the declaration last 
Friday, the House of Commons was satisfied 
w 7 ith him. Fox replied, he did not know from 
whom his Grace had his information of the 
House of Commons; but it appeared plainly 
to him, that, when Mr. Pitt charged the loss of 



341 



Minorca upon his Grace, and he had defended 1756. 
him, as answerable only in an equal degree 
with others ; all their friends hung their heads, 
and not a man of them was, or seemed to be, 
persuaded, that a squadron could not be sooner 
sent, or that all had been done, which could 
be done. He (Fox) indeed had defended his 
Grace in every thing where he could defend 
him ; but in one thing, he never could, which 
was, in his not believing it must be war, and in 
not arming sooner. The Duke still insisted, 
that nobody could think him to blame. Mr. 
Fox went on and said, that this intelligence 
came from Sir Thomas Robinson, who was a 
weak man, k-c. That, he thought he himself 
had fully answered all that could be expected, 
or which he had engaged for, and hoped that 
I thought so too ; but he found by the Duke 
of Newcastle's whole behaviour to him, that 
the Duke was not at all satisfied with what he 
had done. Was it not true that the chief in an 
Administration would always be the most ob- 
noxious ? I answered, Yes : unless they had 
any one to make a scape-goat. He seemed 
alarmed, and asked me, if I thought him likely 
to be a scape-goat, and dwelt upon the ex- 
pression. I told him, as the truth was, that I 







342 



1736. had not him, in any degree, so much as in my 
contemplation, and I had no such apprehen- 
sions. Mr. Fox continued and said, he was 
very uneasy : that the country was in a sad 
way, but if it was in a better, those, who had 
the direction of it, could no more carry on this 
war, than his three children. That he himself 
had always hinted at sending a squadron to 
Minorca sooner > and that the Duke of Cum- 
berland pressed it strongly, so long ago as last 
Christmas. I then asked him, whether there 
was any truth in the report, that the Princes 
George and Edward were to be kept at Ken- 
sington ? He replied, he fancied there were 
some grounds for it, but he was not, in the 
least, trusted or consulted about it; but he 
knew (though not from them) that the Duke 
of Newcastle and the Chancellor had had two 
conferences upon that subject, and though 
private conferences between them were no- 
thing new, for he supposed they had them 
every night, yet, they had had two, particularly 
on this subject : and he would inform me how 
he knew it. They were overheard in an entry, 
enough to learn the subject of those conver- 
sations, though not the result of them. That, 
when every thing was settled, he supposed 



343 



Lords Holdernesse, Waldegrave, and himself, 1756. 
should be called in, and a minute of it should AY ' 
then he made, and carried to the King as their 
joint advice. That he was ready to sign, upon 
any of the King's affairs, how delicate soever: 
but whether he should sign as his advice, what 
others had settled and digested, without having 
in any way communicated to him, was what 
he wanted to talk with me about, and to know 
my opinion. I thought this conversation much 
too delicate to be holden upon the benches, 
and I once made him move his place, but he 
would go on. 

I went to the Duke of Newcastle's ; he 
would have talked about what had passed, the 
day before, in the House of Commons, upon 
the committee of the Million Bill, which gives 
the Treasury the unprecedented power of bor- 
rowing, without limiting the rate of interest. 
Sir George Lyttleton's candour in opening it 
made him inform the House with this danger- 
ous and unnecessary innovation, which pro- 
duced a debate and division, where the Trea- 
sury rejected the limitation offered to be in- 
serted, by one voice only. None of us were 
acquainted either with the innovation, or of 



344 



1756. Sir George's design to go into the committee 
that day, so that the numbers were but 36 and 
37. I declined talking with his Grace upon 
the subject, telling him it was too bad. He 
pressed me much to go down to the Report, 
which I received coolly, and I changed the 
subject to considering what new encourage- 
ment should be given, as a deputation of mer- 
chants had been with me upon that head. He 
requested me to talk with Lord Anson. I 
then pressed him about Lord Hallifax. The 
Duke expressed an earnest desire to preserve 
his Lordship's friendship, but protested, he 
could no more get him a blue ribband, than he 
could get the Kingdom of Ireland for me. I 
said, I conceived tikattwms the mistake. That 
though I wished Lord Hallifax had the Garter, 
yet I never mentioned it, or meant it : what I 
meant, was the Cabinet; Lord Hallifax, from 
station, services, and merit, had a right to it: 
his Grace's own interest loudly called for it, 
and could not he do that ? he strongly de- 
clared, he would think of it, and do all he 
could, as soon as the session was concluded : 
hut he had talked with Lord Hallifax's friends, 
and understood that the Cabinet would not 
satisfy him. I replied, make his Lordship to 



345 



blame then: show you have done for him, 1756. 
what every one knows you can and ought to 
do ; and if, at last, you are to break, break at 
least upon a point where you have some ground 
to depend upon, and not where you have none ; 
in declining to do what you can do, because 
you do not attempt what, possibly, there may 
be some doubt about. He was very uneasy, 
and protested, w T ith great earnestness, that he 
would do all in his power to oblige Lord Hal- 
lifax, as soon as the Parliament rose. 

War declared with France. is. 

I heard that a message in writing had been June 2. 
sent to the Prince, from the King, offering him 
an allowance of 40,000/. per annum, and an 
apartment in the palaces of Kensington and 
St. James's. The answer was full of high gra- 
titude for the allowance, but declining the 
apartment, ou account of the mortification it 
would be to his mother; though it is well 
known that he does not live with her, either 
in town or country. The Spanish Ambassador 
had an account of an engagement, between 
Byng, and the French, in the Mediterranean — 
Byng had thirteen ships of the line and five 
frigates; the enemy had twelve, and four fri- 



346 

1756. pr a tes : it lasted four hours, when, by the ad- 

JUNE2. ° r 

vantage of the wind, the English stood out of 
gun-shot, and were out of sight the next day. 

26. Mr. Fox showed me Byng's strange letter 
of the action, and yet stranger council of war. 

Oct. 2. I had a note from Mr. Fox that things went 
ill, and I dined with him on the 14th, when he 
appeared to be in an extraordinary pertur- 
bation. 

19. Mr. Pitt was sent for to town, and came. 

He returned, rejecting all terms, till the Duke 
of Newcastle was removed. 

27. The King sent for Fox, and told him, that the 
Duke of Newcastle would resign, and bade him 
think of an Administration. 

Fox met Mr. Pitt at the Prince's levee, who 
declined giving him a meeting, or treating with 
him (Fox) atiill. 

3!. The Duke of Devonshire was sent into the 

country to Mr. Pitt, who gave a positive ex- 
clusion to Mr. Fox. 



347 



I saw Lord Hillsborough, who fancies the 1756. 
Court will not submit to Mr. Pitt. — I think x ov * J 
otherwise. 

Lord Hallifax told me, Mr. Pitt's demands 3. 
are agreed to, and he will go on with them. 

The Duke of Devonshire, after haying agreed 4. 
to accept the Treasury, with Fox as Chancellor 
of the Exchequer, went to settle it with the 
King, and came out, from the presence, with 
Legge for his Chancellor. — This is incredible, 
but true. 

The Duke of Newcastle resigned. 1 1. 

Mr. Fox resigned ; and the Duke of Devon- 
shire kissed hands for the Treasury. 

The Duke of Devonshire called at my house, |& 
and left word he would come again to-morrow. 
I sent to let him know, I would wait on his 
Grace, and I accordingly went to Devonshire 
House. The Duke told me, that he was forced 
by the King to take the employment he held: 
that his Grace was ordered to go to Mr. Pitt, 
and know upon what conditions he would 



348 



175(5. serve: that, in the arrangement Pitt and his 
ov. 15. f r j enc [ s mac [ e> m y office was demanded — he was 
very sorry for it — he was not concerned in it — 
and he behaved very civilly, &c. &c. 

1757. A motion for 200,000/. for an army of obser- 
Feb. is. va ti on m Germany agreed to, without debate 
or division. Mr. Tucker had agreed with Mr. 
George Grenville to be Paymaster of the Ma- 
rines, and for Governor Grenville to be chosen 
in his place. The King sent to Fox to know 
if he could prevent it, and if he thought I 
would interpose: Mr. Fox said, he supposed, 
if his Majesty commanded me, I would. The 
King ordered Fox to speak to me — he did, and 
I stopped it. This is the first step towards 
turning out Lord Temple. 

Mar. 7. The Duke of Newcastle, who had resigned, 
would not move : the King grew impatient to 
get rid of the Ministry, which he had imposed 
upon himself, and threw himself upon Fox to 
form a new Administration. We agreed to 
begin with dismissing Lord Temple ; I pro- 
posed Lord Hallifax for the Admiralty, the 
King consented to it, and I was to negotiate 
the affair with him. 



349 



Mr. Fox and I bad a long- conversation about J* 757 - 

Mar. 9. 

tbis settlement. We agreed that (as tbe Duke 
of Newcastle, to whom tbe first place, and tbe 
nomination to tbe others, was several times 
offered and pressed even by tbe King himself, 
has refused to act as yet) an Administration 
should be formed, where a first place should 
be ready to receive the Duke of Newcastle : 
but none of the old Ministry should be em- 
ployed at first, till the inquiry was over, &c. 
Tbe Duke of Devonshire to be at the bead of 
the Treasury, Lord George Sackville to be 
Secretary. I declined being Chancellor of 
the Exchequer; but if Lord Hallifax accepted 
tbe Admiralty, I agreed to accept of the 
Board of Trade. The King still eager for the 
change. 

N. B. During this while, Lord Hallifax 
(upon whose friendship and concurrence I 
depended from repeated assurances, and to 
whom I had communicated all this transac- 
tion, and, till now, without authority) pri- 
vately saw and negotiated with the Duke of 
tie, and took measures with him to 
defeat it. What makes this tbe more sur- 
prising is, that always before, at that vevy 



350 



1757. time, and eve*r since, he has spoken of the 
Duke of Newcastle to me and others, as a 
knave and a fool, in the strongest terms. 

21, Mr. Fox called upon Messrs. Pitt and 
Legge, and made them disown the prevailing 
lie, spread by their friends, of troops being to 
go from hence, with the Duke, to Germany : 
they, each of them, respectively, disowned 
any knowledge, or belief of any such propo- 
sition. In less than three months afterwards, 
Mr. Pitt gave above a million of English mo- 
ney, and sent what was called 10,000 (some- 
what more than 7000) English soldiers, to 
that very army, when it was commanded by 
another Prince. 

22. The Ministers, after all their threats, not 
pushing the inquiry, Fox moved for it, to be 
entered upon by a committee of the whole 
House on the 19th of April, which was evi- 
dently throwing it into contempt. 

23# Fox came to me, to see Lord Hallifax, and 

he told him, that Sir Thomas Robinson had 
accepted the Seals by the King's command; 
that Lord Mansfield approved of the system, 



351 



and said, in the strongest terms, that the Duke 1757 * o 
of Newcastle, ought to do so too. Lord Halli- 
fine acquiesced upon that condition ; but he 
understood, I suppose, by his private dealings 
with the Duke of Newcastle, that Robinson 
was not to accept — Lord Hallifax writes to 
Robinson, who answers him, that he has had 
some talk about the matter; but not having 
received any account how it would end, can- 
not give his Lordship the information he de- 
sires, but at the same time expresses a wish to 
see him. Lord Hallifax immediately w r aits on 
Sir Thomas, and returns and reports, that 
Robinson, with a most submissive preamble, 
had sent an absolute refusal (but not dis- 
approving the plan), and added, that he could 
not, must not, would not accept. — So all is at 
a stand. 

I went to Lord Hallifax, who had written 24. 
to Fox, that he would accept, if Robinson 
took the Seals — which he knew, at the same 
time, Robinson would not take. 

A message was sent from the King, to the 20L 
Duke of Newcastle, to offer him to come in 
again: if not, to say, if Ik; would support the 



352 



1757. present plan ; if not support it, to name what 
* plan he would support, but to speak posi- 
tively, for his Majesty would not admit of any 
more evasive answers. We, however, think 
he will have one, and therefore conclude it 
most adviseable to force Robinson to be Se- 
cretary. 

Apr. 5. Lord Winchelsea kissed hands for the Ad- 

miraltv. 

•i 

6. Mr. Pitt dismissed. Mr. Fox and I were 

ordered from the King, by Lord Holdernesse, 
to come and kiss his hand as Paymaster of the 
Army, and Treasurer of the Navy. We wrote 
to the Duke of Cumberland our respectful 
thanks and acceptance of the offices ; but 
we thought it would be more for his Majesty's 
service, not to enter upon them publicly, till 
the inquiry was over; which the King ap- 
proved of. 

N. B. The Duke of Newcastle, prepared, 
and all along informed by Lord Hallifax (who 
acted shamefully in the affair), joins Pitt; 
takes the Treasury ; makes Pitt Secretary 
again ; Lord Temple, Privy Seal -, Lord An- 



353 



son, the head of the Admiralty ; &c. &c. 1T57 - 

.Apr. 6 

and his Grace tells Lord Hallifax, that it is 
settled, he (Hallifax) should be the third Se- 
cretary for the Plantations ; which was his 
Lordship's object, and for which he had over- 
turned our whole plan. Lord Hallifax tells 
all his friends of it; he goes to Court and 
talks to Pitt about it, as a thing settled : Pitt 
stared at him, and told his Lordship very 
coolly, and very truly, that he never had 
heard one word of it, and he did not conceive, 
that any body had a right to curtail his office 
to that degree, which was, already too much 
encroached upon by the Board. Lord Halli- 
fax, covered with confusion, goes away in a 
rage, writes an angry letter to the Duke of 
Newcastle, complains to the King, but meet- 
ing no great comfort, he resigns — but asks one 
or two things for his friends, and is refused. 
The Duke of Newcastle, as Lord Hallifax 
says, behaved with the utmost meanness ; he 
owned he had not spoke to Pitt about it, and 
that his reason was, Pitt looked so much out of 
humour, that he durst not. Lord Hallifax 
talked of his Grace every where in the most 
opprobrious terms, as the object of his con- 
tempt and detestation — but as his Grace had 
A a 



354 



1757. no t fxlled up the office, his Lordship, about 
Michaelmas, condescended to take it up again, 
just as he left it. 

The King kept his word with Fox, and 
made him Paymaster — but his Majesty was 
not pleased to behave so to me. 

Thus ended this attempt to deliver the King 
from hands he did not like, and it failed from 
LordHallifax's duplicity, which drew a greater 
affront upon him, than I ever remember offered 
to any body ; from the Duke of Newcastle's 
treachery and ingratitude, who, after having 
given his word to the King, that he would 
never join Mr. Pitt, but by his Majesty's con- 
sent, forced the King to consent; and by his 
Majesty's timidity, who dared not to support 
any body, even in his own cause. 

Sfpt, The secret expedition was founded on the 
information of one Clarke, a Lieutenant in 
the Train, who told the Ministry that he 
passed through the place some years ago, and 
was shown the works, as an English officer, 
by order of the Governor : that the ditch was 
dry ; the fortifications, garrison, &c. such as 



355 



might be taken by storm. This was believed, 1757, 
and then, without the farther examination of EPT * 
any one person but a French pilot, Thierry, 
General Mordaunt was sent out. 

It sails. 9. 

It arrives near Rochefort. 20. 

It takes Aix. Mordaunt proposed landing 23. 
at, and taking Fort Fouras. Thierry offered 
to bring a ship within four hundred yards of 
the fort, and to lay her in soft mud at the ebb 
(which afterwards appeared he could not do). 
Hawke refused a ship. 

Spent in sounding for another landing, and 24. 
one was found four miles farther. 

Council of war. Question if the ditch was 25. 
dry ? The pilot of the Neptune, who had 
lived several years at Rochefort, affirmed he 
knew it to be wet. — The French pilot con- 
firmed it. — Clarke persisted it was dry. — Was 
asked, in case it was wet, could the place be 
taken by escalade ?— answered, No. The coun- 
cil was then unanimous, that the attempt 
A a 2 



356 



1757. U p n the place was impracticable. The dif- 
' ficulties of landing at the new-discovered spot 
were very great — the transports could not 
come within a mile and a half of the shore — 
the ships of war not within a league— there 
was a row of sand banks upon the shore, suf- 
ficient to conceal a number of men — the pilot, 
who had lived there, said, that he had known 
a western gale blow off shore, for seven weeks 
together, so stiff that no boat could land upon 
the coast. 

However, Mordaunt, though refused the 
protection of one ship, but terrified, perhaps, 
with the fate of Byng, resolved to land where- 
ever he could, to try to take Fouras and look 
at Rochefort. 



2(5. 



Spent in looking after better landings ; but 
finding none, Mordaunt embarks his troops 
the 28th, at night, but the wind made it un- 
adviseable to land. The next day, Hawke 
declared, that if Mordaunt would take upon 
himself the consequences of keeping the great 
ships out, at that season of the year, he would 
stay; otherwise, he must go home. Mor- 
daunt would not do that, so they returned 



357 



together. And thus ended this expedition, * 757 - 

& , Sept. 26. 

contrived with so much secrecy, that every 

thing, necessary to its success, was a secret to 

the contriver himself. 

As a proof of this, a year afterwards, when 
Mordaunt (who certainly should have had 
living witnesses of the futility of the plan) 
had been brought to a trial, and, also worried 
by all the low Court flatterers and scribblers, 
it happened that Capt. Dennis took the Rai- 
sonable, commanded by the Chevalier de Ro- 
han. Air. Fox told me, that being with Lords 
Waldegrave and Gower together, they both 
told him, that Dennis had assured each of 
them separately, that his prisoner, the Che- 
valier de Rohan, had told him, that he (the 
Chevalier) was at that time in Rochefort, or la 
Rochelle (the Lords in comparing notes had 
no other doubt in their narrative), and that the 
enemy had 7 or 8000 men there at least. 
That there were 3o()0 men behind the sand- 
banks, and there was a masked battery at 
each end. That, if we had landed when we 
first appeared, we should have embarrassed 
them. But they thought themselves betrayed, 
when they found we did nut land at the time 
we attempted it. 



358 



l157 - Late in the Autumn this year, the army, 
that was supposed to remain in a state of in- 
activity by treaty, took the field again under 
Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick; the Duke of 
Cumberland and his treaty being disowned 
by the King. 

In the month of June or July, Sir George 
Lee told me (which was confirmed afterwards 
by Lord Hailifax) that he had been more than 
once solicited to be Chancellor of the Exche- 
quer to the Duke of Newcastle, in the Ad- 
ministration he was then negotiating. That 
Sir George consented not without difficulty. 
That the Friday before Whitsunday he was at 
Newcastle House, and the Duke told him, 
that all was settled in general with the King, 
and that he was to be Chancellor of the Ex- 
chequer. The Duke showed him, what he 
said was, the list in detail, which he was go- 
ing to carry to the King at Kensington, and 
desired to see Sir George the next morning. 
Upon Sir George's telling him, that he was to 
go next morning to his brother in Bucks, the 
Duke pressed him to stay. His Grace was 
asked, if he did not go to the House of Lords 
from Kensington — Yes — Sir George met him 
there, and the Duke told him all was settled, 



359 

and that the King agreed in form to his being 17<3T 
Chancellor of the Exchequer ; upon which 
they parted, Sir George being to return on 
Monday or Tuesday. When he came back 
to Townj he found the system entirely altered, 
and another Chancellor of the Exchequer 
(Legge) made part of it. And Sir George 
farther told me, that he never had had any 
communication from, or with the Duke of 
Newcastle, either by word of mouth, note, 
message, or common friend, since his parting 
from him at the House of Lords, till Sunday 
the 16th July, the day but one preceding 
our conversation, when the Duke came and 
sat down by him at Leicester House, and, 
with all the ease and familiarity of an old 
friend, communicated his no news to him. 

Mr. Martin informed me, that Holborne Sept. 28 
was very willing to agree with Lord Loudon, 
in not attacking Louisbourg. And that An- 
son, since he last came, had told the Ministry, 
that Holborne went out with no better sto- 
mach for fighting than Byng. That, at a 
meeting of the Lords, Newcastle, Hardwick, 
Iloldernesse, Anson, and Mr. Pitt, it was 
proposed to send the armament, then pre- 



360 



I757 - paring, against Rochefort, to the assistance of 
' his Royal Highness in Germany, on account 
of the Duke's ill success upon the Continent : 
that every man was for it, except Mr. Pitt, 
who insisted, if that resolution was t8 prevail, 
that minutes of the meeting should he taken, 
and his dissent entered. Upon which the 
others desisted ; hut no one would acquaint 
the King with the result, and Mr. Pitt was 
left to do it himself. He further told me, that 
the King had said, his revenues were seized, 
that he was 800,000/. in debt, and that the 
Army must disband, if it was not supplied 
from hence : and that Pitt had consented to 
give him 100,000/. and 20,000/. to subsist his 
daughter. 

Lord Hallifax told me the following history 
of his friend Legge. Instigated, as I suppose, 
by his Lordship and Oswald (who hoped to 
enhance their favour with the Duke of New- 
castle, while the negotiation with Mr. Pitt 
was open, by their bringing over so consider- 
able a person), and following the low, shuffling 
disposition of his own heart, Mr. Legge met a 
little before Easter, the Duke of Newcastle, at 
Lord Dupplin's, coming in at the back door 






361 



through the park, at nine o'clock. That 1757. 
meeting passed in assurances of good-will to 
each other, and went no farther. That the 
Duke proposed another, which Legge was 
afraid to hazard, but the correspondence was 
kept up by message. This treaty was for 
Legge to come in, without Mr. Pitt, if the 
latter persisted in his exorbitant demands. 

The Duke of Newcastle chiefly treated with 
Mr. Pitt by the Primate of Ireland, Stone. 
One day, in the beginning of the negotiation, 
when Lord Bute and Mr. Pitt were in confer- 
ence with the Primate, and insisted upon very 
extravagant terms, the Primate begged them 
as a friend, to be a little more moderate, and, 
before they went so far, to consider whether 
they were sure of all their friends. They were 
surprised, and said, they thought so. He re- 
plied, that he thought otherwise, and could, 
if he would (for he was authorized to do it), 
tell them a very different story. Mr. Pitt im- 
mediately insisted upon knowing it, or he 
would treat no farther. Upon which, the 
Primate told them this private transaction of 
Legge with the Duke of Newcastle. This 
discovery occasioned great coolness to Legge 



362 



1757. at Leicester House, which, as soon as he per- 
ceived, gave him much uneasiness. At last 
(I think from Lord Hallifax) Legge found 
out, that, in return for his thinking of leaving 
his friends for the Duke of Newcastle, the 
Duke had betrayed him to them. He would 
have expostulated with his friends, but they 
would not suffer it, and, the negotiation taking 
place in their favour, they bade him take the 
Exchequer Seals under the Duke of New- 
castle, and enter into no further eclaircisse- 
ment. He has done so, detested by Mr. Pitt 
and Leicester House - y acting under one whom 
he hates; who hates him, and has betrayed 
him ; breaking faith with Lord Hallifax, with- 
out whom he engaged himself not to act ; and 
with Oswald, to whom he had pledged his 
honour, never to come into the Treasury with- 
out him. AND ALL FOR QUARTER 
DAY! 

1758. After the battle of Hastenbeck, and the 
disowning the Duke and the convention of 
Closter Seven, by the King, late in the Au- 
tumn of the last year, the Hanoverian army 
again took the field, and was commanded by 
Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. 



363 



A message by Mr. Pitt for a supply to 175s - 
keep the Hanoverian army together — and 
100,000/. was granted. 



Commodore Howe sailed from St. Helen's June 1. 
with one seventy-gun, three fifty-gun ships, 
several frigates, one hundred transports having 
on board sixteen battalions, nine troops of 
light horse, and all preparations for a siege, 
commanded by the Duke of Marlborough, 
Lord George Sackville, General Waldegrave, 
&c. Lord Anson sailed the same day. 

They arrived in the Bay of Concalle, near 5. 
St. Malo, and burned a few ships of no great 
consequence and several small craft which 
were on ground : they were all fired by the 
light horse. After staying about six days 
without attempting St. Malo, and on being 
informed there was a body of about 10,000 
men assembled, or assembling in the neigh- 
bourhood, they reimbarked, with the loss of 
two or three men on a side. They continued 
in, or near the Bay of Concalle, till the men 
began to grow sick, ragged and lousy, from 
want of room in the transports, and were re- 
duced to a quart uf stinking water a day. 



364 



]/58. Our expedition returned. When it was 

July 1. , ... 

known that they were come back, it occa- 
sioned great disputes among the Ministers, 
whether they should land or not, which lasted 
till the 5th instant; when, at a meeting of the 
Cabinet, it was determined that the men 
should land (as there was great sickness among 
them), while provisions, &c. were preparing 
for them. These orders were sent on the 6th. 
At this meeting, there was great difference of 
opinion. Lord Granville declared, he was 
always. for distressing France upon the Conti- 
nent ; experience had taught him to have no 
great expectations from expeditions ; he meant 
no reflections upon the late ones, nor to make 
his court, for he wanted nothing; his duty 
alone made him speak, &c. Air. Pitt said, he 
had sufficiently shown, that he was for sup- 
porting the Continent, by paying an army of 
50,000 men for its defence. That he had 
consented to send 10,000 more from hence. 
But still he thought that expeditions, and 
keeping France in alarms upon the coast, 
was the most effectual way to distress her ; — 
that expeditious had always succeeded. Did 
you not take Port I'Orient, if St. Clair would 
have accepted it? Did you not take Rochefort 



365 



last year ? it was entirely at your disposition. 1758. 
Have you not taken St. Malo ? &c. &c. Lord 
Ligonier said, My Lord Granville, your Lord- 
ship must admit — . Lord Granville interrupt- 
ed him with, My Lord, I will admit nothing ; 
your Lordship is apt to admit, but I will ad- 
mit nothing. 

The 10,000 men, which were allowed by io. 
Mr. Pitt for Germany, were to be commanded 
by the Duke of Marlborough, Lord George 
Sackville and General Waldegrave, all having 
deserted the expedition. Lord George said, 
he would no longer go Buccaneering: the 
King refused to let him go to Germany, but 
his Majesty was obliged to submit. 

The expedition again put to sea, with a 31. 
less force than before ; three of the regiments, 
and half the light horse, have been sent to 
Germany. 

A squadron of twenty Russian and ten 
Swedish ships of the line with transports for 
13,000 Russians to land in Pomerania, appear 
in the Baltic — to our great surprise. 

.. It appears by the Duke of Marlborough's Aug. 3. 



368 



1759. The appeal of the Dutch ship, America, 
was heard. She was condemned, ship and 
cargo, as French : in going directly to St. 
Domingo, and unlading there ; in being re- 
laden by Frenchmen on their own account : 
in returning directly to France, and by the 
French ordered to throw all their papers over- 
board, if attacked by the English, which they 
did. 

May 16. Lord Hallifax called on me, and told me, 
that the Duke of Newcastle was extremely glad 
of having a vacancy in the Treasury, by mak- 
ing Lord Besborough Postmaster, and now he 
might take Mr. Oswald, and all would be 
settled ; but that Lord Bute came to him, in 
the name of all of them on that side of the 
Administration, and told his Grace positively 
that they would not consent to Oswald's be- 
ing in the Treasury ; and the rather, as they 
knew he was not his Grace's man, but was 
suggested to him by Mr. Legge : and this, 
the Duke, very much frightened, was pleased 
to own. He added, that they thought they 
had as good a right to recommend as any one, 
and they expected that Mr. Elliott of -the Ad- 
miralty should succeed : the Duke did not ab- 



369 



solutely acquiesce in the nomination, but he H5& 

,.,.;, , . May 16. 

did in the exclusion. 



The Parliament prorogued. June 2. 



The Diary seems to have been discontinued from 
this time, till Oct. 25, 176Q. 



The King died suddenly between seven and 1760. 
eight in the morning, of which I received an T " 25 ' 
account immediately, and, the same day, \ 
sent a letter to Lord Bute. 

I kissed the young King's hand. 30. 

I was to wait on the King, in his closet; Nov. 14, 
and afterwards, on the Princess, at Leicester 
House. 

Mr. Ellis was with me to let me know, that is. 
the Duke of ; Newcastle was desirous of seeing 
me about the election at Weymouth. I de- 
ferred giving an immediate answer. 

lib 



368 



1759. The appeal of the Dutch ship, America, 
was heard. She was condemned, ship and 
cargo, as French : in going directly to St. 
Domingo, and unlading there; in being re- 
laden by Frenchmen on their own account : 
in returning directly to France, and by the 
French ordered to throw all their papers over- 
board, if attacked by the English, which they 
did. 

May 1 6. Lord Hallifax called on me, and told me, 
that the Duke of Newcastle was extremely glad 
of having a vacancy in the Treasury, by mak- 
ing Lord Besborough Postmaster, and now he 
might take Mr. Oswald, and all would be 
settled ; but that Lord Bute came to him, in 
the name of all of them on that side of the 
Administration, and told his Grace positively 
that they would not consent to Oswald's be- 
ing in the Treasury ; and the rather, as they 
knew he was not his Grace's man, but was 
suggested to him by Mr. Legge : and this, 
the Duke, very much frightened, was pleased 
to own. He added, that they thought they 
had as good a right to recommend as any one, 
and they expected that Mr. Elliott of the Ad- 
miralty should succeed : the Duke did not ab- 



369 



sohitely acquiesce in the nomination* but he H5& 

J., .\. . . May 14 

did in the exclusion. 



The Parliament prorogued. June 2. 



The Diary seems to have been discontinued from 
this time, till Oct. 25, 176Q. 



The King died suddenly between seven and 1760. 
eight in the morning, of which I received an 
account immediately, and, the same day, \ 
sent a letter to Lord Bute. 

I kissed the young King's hand. so. 

I was to wait on the King, in his closet; Nov. 14, 
and afterwards, on the Princess, at Leicester 
House. 

Mr. Ellis was with me to let me know, that i8. 
the Duke of Newcastle was desirous of seeing 
me about the election at Weymouth. I de- 
ferred giving an immediate answer. 
Bb 



370 



i76o. J W rote to Lord Bute, desiring him to 

Nov. 19. ° 

settle the answer I should send to the Duke of 
Newcastle. 



*& Mr. Ellis came for the answer, which was, 

that I begged to be excused troubling his 
Grace, because my interest at Weymouth w 7 as 
engaged to gentlemen, who, I could not 
doubt, but w 7 ould be agreeable to him, be- 
cause I had reason to believe they would be 
acceptable to the King. 

22: Lord Bute sent to desire to see me, at my 

own house,, in Pall Mall. He staid two hours 
with me : we had much serious and confiden- 
tial talk : he gave me repeated assurances of 
his most generous friendship, and fresh in- 
stances of the King's benignity, by his Ma- 
jesty's order. 

29. Lord Bute came to me by appointment, 

and staid a great while. I pressed him much 
to take the Secretary's office, and provide 
otherwise for Lord Holdernesse — he hesitated 
for some time, and then said, if that was the 
only difficulty, it could be easily removed: 
for Lord Holdernesse was ready, at his desire, 



371 

to quarrel with his fellow Ministers (on ac- J 760 - 

1 Nov. 29. 

count of the slights and ill usage which he 

daily experienced) and go to the King, and 

throw up in seeming anger, and then he (Bute) 

might come in, without seeming to displace 

any body. I own the expedient did not 

please me. 

I was at council, and signed a letter to check Dec. 3. 
the government of Ireland for not sending over 
a bill of supply, as is always the form, before 
their dissolution on the demise of the Crown. 

Lord Buckinghamshire, George Townshend, 4. 
Belendine, Dashwood, Macky, Vaughan, and 
Stanley, dined with me. — Much dissatisfaction 
at the King's making Lord Fitzmaurice Aid 
de Camp — and the measure of bringing coun- 
try Lords and considerable gentlemen about 
the King, as Lord Litchfield, Mr. Berkley, 
&c. ridiculed by the creatures of the Adminis- 
tration. 

The Duke of Richmond resigned the bed- 8. 

chamber, which he had just asked for, because 

Lord Fitzmaurice was put before his brother. 

T had several friends to dine with me, when 

B b 2 



372 



1760. the Duke of Richmond's affair was much can- 
EC ' 8 * vassed. Lord Hallifax said, that the Duke 
had assured the person from whom his Lord- 
ship heard it, that the King sent and offered 
his Grace the Bedchamber — which is not true, 

The whole affair, as I had it from Lord 
Bute, was this — The Duke, after having talk- 
ed very offensively of the Scotch, on the pro- 
motion of Sir Henry Ereskine, asked, in a 
private audience of the King, to be of his Bed- 
chamber: his Majesty gave him a civil, but 
not a decisive answer, and acquainted Lord 
Bute with it, who told his Majesty, that the 
Duke's quality and his age made him a very 
proper servant to be about his person; upon 
which Lord Bute was ordered to let the Duke 
know that the King accepted his service, which 
Lord Bute performed, and then mentioned to 
the Duke, how his Grace's behaviour about 
Sir Henry Ereskine was particularly offensive 
to him (Bute). The King was displeased that 
he was not informed of it before, and Lord 
Bute said, that he thought the Duke a proper 
servant for his Majesty, and as such, recom- 
mended him* but not as his friend. The Duke 
came to see Lord Bute, to thank him for bis 



373 



kind offices, and to disown all political con- l76 °- 

Dec. 8. 
flexions with Mr. Fox. Lord Bute said, that 

the King had no manner of objection to Mr. 

Fox, and that he himself had a great regard 

for him personally : and then Lord Bute fairly 

told the Duke, that the King knew how he 

had talked about Sir Henry Ereskine's affair, 

and of him (Bute) in particular; which the 

Duke endeavoured to palliate, and said, it had 

been much aggravated. 

Lord Bute called on me, and we ;had much 20. 
talk about setting up a paper— and about the 
Houses, in case of resignations. 

Mr. Glover was with me, and was full of 21. 
admiration of Lord Bute: he applauded his 
conduct and the King's: saying, that they 
would beat every thing ; but a little time must 
be allowed for the madness of popularity to 
cool. Fie was not determined about political 
connexions, but, I believe, he will come to us. 

Lord Bute was with me, and we weighed 23. 
and considered all things, and, though after 
long discussions we parted without any deci- 
sion, I think he inclines much to my scheme. 






374 



1760. I had a long conversation with Lord Bute 
EC * 2 * about Lord Egmont, whose election I under- 
took to secure, if the King commanded me, 
on his being refused the Peerage. His Lord- 
ship answers to my queries of the 25th instant 
We talked about the city militia, and the de- 
mand of the Lieutenancy for the whole cor- 
poration — about the Dukes of Newcastle and 
Argyle flattering Lord Bute with the King, 
and their offering to act under him. The 
Duke of Chandois's pretensions — the Duke of 
York's establishment, &c 

Lord Egmont's affair is as follows. I yes- 
terday received a letter, letting me know that 
Lord Egmont had lately written to his ste- 
ward, Biddlecombe, with orders to show the 
letter to the Mayor of Bridgewater, wherein 
he lets him know that it was probable, there 
would be an election at Bridgewater either on 
the 23d or 24th. In which case, he should 
propose Lord Percival in his room. All this 
appeared to me so strange, that I asked Lord 
Bute about it. He, after putting me in mind 
that he had told me, a week ago, that there 
never was a thought of making Lord Egmont 
a Peer, or that even any application had been 



375 



made, said, that very lately Lord Egmont had 1760. 
been with him, and begged earnestly to go 
into the House of Lords — that his election at 
Bridgewater was very uncertain — that he was 
very ill, and much dejected, &c. 

That he (Bute) told him there was very 
little encouragement, and told me that the 
King was very little disposed : he asked me, 
what I would do in his election ; to which I 
replied, throw him out. Lord Bute seemed 
to think it hard he should be in neither house. 
Perceiving that, I said that, if the King would 
keep him out of the House of Lords, and he 
(Bute) desired it, I would secure his election 
at Bridgewater. He said, it was too much for 
me to give up family interest. I replied, no- 
thing is too much that is useful, where friend- 
ship is real and mutual. And here it now 
stands. 

Lord Bute came and said, he was sure that 1751. 
the Ministry had some glimpse of getting off Jan * 2 * 
our system, by setting up that of abandoning 
Hanover, and of supplying the money to di- 
stress France into a peace ; that they would, 
by their popularity, force this measure upon 



376 



1761. the King, who must consequently lose a great 
deal of his own. I told him, as the truth was, 
that this measure was the only sound one 
to get out of the war. That I had ^fcsterday 
begun to put my thoughts upon it into writ- 
ing, to persuade him to obtain powers of the 
King to carry it into execution. That my 
only doubt was, whether the new Parliament 
should not be suffered to meet, only to de- 
clare in the speech that his Majesty found 
himself involved in this war, to which he had 
no ways contributed : that, seeing the bent of 
the nation so violent, he had acquiesced in it, 
without approving of it, persuaded that they 
would soon feel, if they did not see, their error: 
that he was convinced that the present method 
of defending Hanover would ruin this coun- 
try, without defending that ; and he therefore 
would no longer expose his regal dominions 
to such hardships, for fruitless attempts to 
protect his electoral ; but would leave them 
in the hands of his enemies, and apply the 
expence to force them to a reasonable peace, 
by means more probable and proper to attain 
that end. 

lie paused a considerable time, and did not 



377 



say positively, that he could, or could not, get 1761. 
the King to consent to this system, but he re- AN * ' 
turned to say, that he thought the Ministry 
had an eye that way. If such should be their 
scheme, I said, it would be irresistible ; but 
there was one way to defeat the use they pro- 
posed from it, which was, to put himself at the 
head of it, in a great office of business, and to 
take the lead, and the merit of bringing with 
him the true British principles of making war, 
peace, &c. 

Lord Bute said, that, though he was sure 
the Ministry looked that way, he hoped and 
believed they would not easily follow it: that 
I, indeed, always talked of them, as if they 
were united, whereas they neither were nor 
could be. That the Duke of Newcastle most 
sincerely wished for peace, and would go any 
lengths to attain it. That Mr. Pitt meditated 
a retreat, and would stay in no longer than 
the war. 

But, for my part, I think they will continue 
the war as long as they can; and keep in, 
when it is o-er, as long as they can; and that 
will be, us long as they please, if they are suf- 



378 



1761. fered to make peace, which will soon be so 
necessary to all orders and conditions of men, 
that all will be glad of it, be it what it will, 
especially if it comes from those, who have all 
the offices and the powers of office. All 
which can never end well for the King and 
Lord Bute. His Lordship now showed me a 
letter to Lord Egmont, which he wrote in the 
King's presence, saying, " that the King is 
resolved to make no more Peers, at present, 
than those now before him ; that if his Lord- 
ship thinks his personal application to his Ma- 
jesty will make him alter this resolution, he 
hoped his Lordship would take that step : 
and then added, if you think your election 
uncertain, and I can be of any service to you 
in it (as I think I can) your Lordship may 
command me," I hope he will not accept the 
service offered. 

His Lordship then said, he was persuaded 
it would be seen this very winter, if the Mi- 
nistry endeavoured to prolong the war; for 
he thought that the King of Prussia himself 
would insist upon their making a peace, and 
even a separate peace. 

This I confess, I do not understand — we 



379 



agreed upon getting runners, and to settle i76i. 
what he would disperse. 

I dined at Sir Francis Dashwood's. Lord o. 
Bute came, and he showed me Lord Egmont's 
answer : he is displeased, but desires to know, 
if he is to understand his Majesty refuses him 
the Peerage for ever, or for this time only. 
We are now quit of his Lordship. Lord Bute 
thinks the French will make a sepatate peace 
upon the present foot — I think not — and I en- 
deavoured to show him, that nothing but ruin 
could flow from our persisting in the present 
measures ; nothing could produce peace, but 
withdrawing from the Continent ; that it must 
be, either from necessity, or from being driven 
into it by those who brought this ruin upon 
us, or from a petition to the throne by the 
united voice of his Majesty's best subjects. 
But, at all events, it ought to appear, that the 
giving up Hanover was his Majesty's own 
system ; and, therefore, in case any thing that 
looked that way should be moved, he (Bute) 
should be prepared to take the lead, and that 
he and I should begin the affair in the House 
of Lords. I wish I may have convinced him. 
I had written, and afterwards I mentioned 



380 



1761. Lord Talbot's son-in-law to succeed Bosca- 
wen, who was dying. He was sorry I had not 
thought of it sooner, but he had agreed to fill 
his place by a removal out of the board of 
trade. I tried to get the Jewel Office for him 
by an arrangement for Lord Lyttelton — but 
in vain. We wished to have some coffee- 
house spies, but I do not know how to con- 

15. trive it. Went to Court at Leicester House 
— at the House of Commons on Lord M aris- 
en all's petition. 

16. Lord Bute came, and said, that he was now 
sure that Pitt had no thoughts of abandoning 
the Continent, and that he was madder than 
ever. He was uneasy with Talbot, as he 
would have put the Steward's staff in Talbot's 
hands the first day if he could. That he had 
heard, that Talbot thought Granby could 
persuade his father to quit it, and that other- 
wise, he would not accept it, on account of 
of the friendship between him and Granby. 
That Talbot would make an excellent officer 
to reform that most corrupt office. That, in 
whatever he (Bute) should do for his friends, 
he should always, at the same time, consider 
the service of his master and of the public. I 



381 



pressed him much for Lord Talbot; to which 1761. 
he replied, that he had marks of all the distinc- 
tions that were going. The Council accept- 
ed, and refused : in the promotions of Peerage, 
an Earldom. That he perceived Lord Talbot 
meant a place of more consequence than he 
(Bute) wished. He was sorry for it, for he 
was violent, and I might depend upon it, he 
would be impracticable in business. That 
Lord Talbot had used him unkindly. I said 
all I could, and from my heart. I touched 
again upon Rice — he said, he thought the 
board of trade no improper beginning, and 
that might possibly be shaped out. I said, the 
offer of any thing directly from him, accepted 
or not accepted, I thought would be very 
kindly taken. That Henley owed his being 
made Chancellor, from Keeper, entirely to 
him, and that he had brought Henley's letter 
to show me. I begged his Lordship to pre- 
serve that letter, as well as some others he had 
shown me, properly labelled and tied up : for 
the ingratitude of mankind might make it of 
use to have preserved them, lie smiled, and 
said he had already found it so : and then told 
me Martin's impertinent conversation at the 
Admiralty, in presence of a dozen people, 



382 



1761. about a line to be drawn between the Scotch 

T 1 /\ 

and the English, and that it ought to be ob- 
served and continued. 

Lord Bute then said, that he must see the 
Duke of Newcastle, to settle with him about 
the elections shortly. That, to those who had 
proposed to him to unite with the Duke upon 
conditions, he had said, he would agree to no 
conditions till he saw Talbot, Dash wood, and 
Charles Townshend (which last, he said, had 
sworn allegiance to him, for a time), had such 
places as he wished. 



As to the army, he wished he could talk 
with an impartial officer : that he thought the 
King of Prussia and Prince Ferdinand were as 
popular as ever. I answered, that I thought 
the King of Prussia began to be very little so: 
and that there was something so servile in the 
education of an officer, that, if the officer 
found out what he desired to hear, he might 
be sure of hearing nothing else. That I 
thought Prince Ferdinand was become as un- 
popular in the army, as he was once popular 
— that he was accused of three great heads of 
malversation. The first was, that he had ex- 



383 

acted complete pay for uncomplete corps: 1761. 
the second, that not one shilling of all those Jan * 16# 
devastating contributions had been carried to 
the public account: the third, that he had 
received good money, and had paid the troops 
in bad, to a very great amount, and at a great 
discount : that this last was an affair mercan- 
tile and of exchange — and that, if the charge 
was true, I would undertake to find those who 
should lay it open to the world beyond con- 
tradiction. Lord Bute's notions about the 
war are very singular, and, I believe, not 
thoroughly digested: he thinks, the enemy 
will make a peace upon the present footing, if 
we go on conquering their islands, &c. I 
think, that they will never make peace with 
us, till we withdraw our troops actually, or 
till they think we design it. His opinion is, 
that our withdrawing our troops would either 
effect a peace, or enable us to carry on a war 
much cheaper, and by national means for na- 
tional ends; but what compensation is to be 
made for Hanover ? I replied, according to 
the damage done; and the foundation must be, 
how much heavier the taxation of the elec- 
torate has been, than what it was under its 
natural Prince. He said, that, if we made 



384 



176 j. this separate peace, we must still pay the 
Jan. is. King of Prussia, which would make the war 
look more unnational. I thought not; but 
then, he said, we must stop here, and not 
think of conquering any farther. I answered, 
I saw nothing to conquer ; that France had 
as much lost Martinico, as she could lose it — 
that the French government had not received 
a sixpence from the duties, nor the subjects 
from their estates, these two years. He said, 
all the produce came home in neutral ships. 
He then returned to the difficulties of indem- 
nifying Hanover, if the troops should be with- 
drawn, and the peace be made. And this 
makes me doubt, whether the King can be 
brought to abandon Hanover, which seems to 
me to be the only method to secure a good 
peace to that country, as well as to this. 

The Keeper was yesterday made Chan- 
cellor. 

Feb. 2. Lord Bute came, and was dissatisfied with 
the clamour about the beer, at the play-house,. 
the evening in which the King was there. I 
mentioned to him the intelligence which 1 
had just received ; that Mr. Pitt had told Mi. 



385 

Beckford, last Friday, that all was over, and 1761. 
he would have no more to do. He replied, EB * 2# 
he did not believe it. He had not seen Mr. 
Pitt this fortnight, but had seen Mr. Beckford 
lately, who dropping in conversation that he 
wished to see the King his own Minister, he 
(Lord Bute) replied, that his great friend Mr. 
Pitt did not desire to see the King his own 
Minister, and he might tell him so, if he 
pleased, for that it was very indifferent to him 
(Bute) if every word he said was carried to 
Mr. Pitt. I asked his Lordship, if he knew 
why the Parliament was kept on so long ? he 
said, he thought it was better for him, as his 
friends had the more time to look about them, 
and that the Duke of Newcastle was desirous 
to have it end. I then asked if he had settled 
the new Parliament with the Duke ? he re- 
plied, he had not seen his Grace for some 
days, but supposed he should soon, and he 
would then bring his list with him. That 
what were absolutely the King's boroughs, 
the King would name to; but where the 
Crown had only an influence, as by the cus- 
toms, excise, &c. he could not be refused the 
disposition of it, while he stayed in. That he 
had told Anson, that room must be made for 
C c 



386 



1761. 
Feb. 2. 



Lord Parker, who replied, that all was en- 
gaged : and that he (Bute) said, What, my 
Lord, the King's Admiralty boroughs full, and 
the King not acquainted with it ! That An- 
son seemed quite disconcerted, and knew not 
what to say. His Lordship was not for push- 
ing them yet, for if the peace was a bad one, 
as it must be 5 they would certainly proclaim, 
that it was owing to their dismission, because 
they were not suffered to bring the great work 
to a happy conclusion, to whom the glorious 
successes, which had hitherto attended their 
conducting it, were entirely to be attributed. 
In short, he seemed to think, that nobody 
could stand such a peace, as must be made 
upon the present system, but those who had 
brought us into that system, and were the au- 
thors of it. 



Llis Lordship and I talked over Charles 
Townshend's being Secretary at War, and Sir 
Francis Dashwood's succeeding him. He 
seemed resolved to come into Administration, 
but not yet. We agreed that, if there was 
nothing irregular to be done, the new Parlia- 
ment would be the King's, let who will choose 
it. He said it was very easy to make the 



387 



Duke of Newcastle resign, and he did not 1761 « 
imagine that his Grace would do it in any 
hostile way, or make those, whom he elected, 
oppose the Ministry. But, who was to take it ? 
was the question. He did not seem to think 
it adviseable to begin there. I replied, I saw 
no objection; but if he thought there was, he 
might put it into hands that would resign it to 
him, when he thought proper to take it ; but 
that he must begin to be a public man, by 
taking something, or else, the objection would 
be the same at ten years* end. He said, that 
Holdernesse knew nothing of what the Mi- 
nister was doing for these last ten days, and 
therefore he began to think with me, that it 
was possible Pitt might resign. 



HERE the Diary concludes ; but it is much to be 
regretted, that his Lordship did not continue it, during 
the very interesting period, which immediately preceded 
his decease. The confidential letters in my possession, 
and his Lordship's answers to them (both of which he 
most carejuUy preserved) miglit assist me in carrying 
on the history of those times, till within a month of his 
death : but, as I have neither leisure for sucli an under- 
taking, nor sufficient knowledge of that memorable &ra, 
CC2 



388 

to enable me to select or digest the letters properly, I 
think it prudent to decline so arduous a task ; a task, 
indeed, that would have been attended with almost in- 
superable difficulties: for we may naturally suppose 
that, in a written intercourse between his Lordship and 
men of various principles, many of the letters and answers 
would convey representations, very contradictory to those 
of others. 



Lord Melcomhe tvas too experienced a courtier, to 
speak the same language to all people : on the contrary, 
he was studious to assimilate his politics to those of his 
correspondents, and to make his ideas apparently con- 
sonant to the opinions of those men from whom he ex* 
pected, emolument 



APPENDIX. 



THE ensuing Narrative is, by some Years, 
prior to the earliest date of the Diary j but, as 
it is frequently alluded to in the work, the Edi- 
tor has inserted it in this Appendix ; and he 
doubts not, that every honest man will unite toith 
J dm in the patriotic wish, that this country may 
never again be distracted zvith dissensions, 
similar to those which were the consequences of 
the following transaction. 

For such was the fatality of those unnatural 
diss ens ions, that the judicious and provident part 
of the nation, and, alas ! a Father too, could be 
justified in rejoicing that a Prince of Wales 
was numbered with the dead. 



FRIDAY, March 5, 1736-7. 



A 

NARRATIVE 

OF WHAT PASSED BETWEEN 

THE PRINCE AND MR. DODINGTON, 



AND AFTUr.VARDS BETWEEN 



SIR ROBERT WALPOLE AND MR. DODINGTON, 



The resolution of his Roval Highness to brino: a demand into 
Parliament, for an augmentation of his allowance to 100,000/. 
per ami. and for a jointure upon the Princess. 



On Monday, the 7th of February, 1736-7, being 
informed that the Prince went to bed indisposed, I 
thought it my duty to go to his lodgings next morn- 
ing (Tuesday the 8th) to inquire of the Pages of the 
Back Stairs, after his health. I found his saddle 
horses in the Court; they told me he was pretty 
well, and insisted upon letting his Royal Highness 
know I was there. I would not admit of it, being 
obliged, that morning, to attend the Treasury, and 
the House; but, before my coach could drive off, 
one of the Pages overtook me with a message from 
the Prince to attend him. 



392 

I found him with the servants in waiting about 
him, his boots on, and powdering his hair, to ride 
out. After having finished his dress, he directed the 
gentlemen to withdraw ; and then, with his usual 
goodness, was pleased to talk to me very freely, 
upon the state of his Majesty's indisposition, and 
upon several other subjects, relating to transactions, 
and persons, of a public nature. 

After half an hour spent in this kind of conversa- 
tion, I humbly offered to take my leave ; but he com- 
manded me to sit down again, and then said that he 
would communicate a secret to me of great import- 
ance, in which he should desire my assistance, and 
designed partly to employ me. I answered, that if 
his Royal Highness was pleased to trust me with a 
secret, I had one favour to ask, which was, that he 
would tell it to nobody else, and then I would be an- 
swerable it should remain a secret. He told me that 
it was not of that nature ; that it would be known ; 
that several people now knew it ; but that no one 
servant of the Crown, as he believed, was acquainted 
with it : that having always had more kindness, and 
affection for me, than for any body, he thought he 
owed it me (as he was pleased to express himself), to 
communicate it to me, the first of any of the King's 
servants, and by his own mouth : that those who were 
chiefly concerned, and engaged in it, were apprised 
of this his resolution, and not only approved, but 
even advised, that I should be the first of the Court 
made acquainted with it. 






393 

Exceedingly surprised as I was at this unexpected 
prelude, I only returned thanks, in the best manner 
I was able, for the gracious and condescending ex- 
pressions he was pleased to use, and really did not 
guess (as I naturally might have done, if I had not 
been surprised) what it tended to. He then entered 
into very bitter complaints of the usage he had, all 
along, met with from the Administration, and even 
from their Majesties : that he was not allowed where- 
withal to live, &c. that he was resolved to endure it 
no longer, and had determined to make a demand in 
Parliament of a jointure for the Princess, and of 
100,000/. pertinn. for himself, which his father had, 
when Prince, and which he looked on to be his right, 
both in law and equity. I objected to the very great 
danger of such an undertaking ; put his Royal High- 
ness in mind, how strongly I had always been against 
it, when he formerly mentioned it ; and was going to 
show the fatal consequences it must produce, besides 
the great improbability of success. But he inter- 
rupted me, and said, that it was too far gone for 
those considerations ; that he did not ask my advice, 
but my assistance ; he was determined upon the 
measure, and designed to send and speak with my 
particular friends, namely, Sir Paul Methuen, Lord 
Wilmington, and the Duke of Dorset ; but chose out 
of kindness to me, to acquaint me first with it: that 
he would send to Sir Paul by Sir Thomas Frankland, 
and asked me, if I would break the matter to them, 
and what, I believed, they would think of it. Sen- 
sible of the danger and difficulties that attend nego- 









3.94 

tiations of this delicate nature, even among the best 
friends, I replied, as to the first part, that I humbly- 
begged to be excused from breaking it ; that what- 
ever friendship those gentlemen did me the honour 
to admit me to, I thought it a matter too high to un- 
dertake : that, as he had mentioned his intentions of 
sending to them, and as they were, by their rank, 
and affection to his Royal Highness, every way qua- 
lified to be consulted, I thought it highly proper 
that he should know their sentiments from their own 
mouths, in an affair of this very great importance; 
that then, what they said to his Royal Highness, 
could not be mistaken, and what he was pleased to 
say to them could not be misrepresented. As to 
what they would think of it, I was confident, by what 
I felt myself, that they would be infinitely surprised ; 
too much so, in my judgement, to give his Royal 
Highness any positive and determinate opinion. He 
said, he did not want their opinion, but their assist- 
ance, and what would my friend the Duke of Argyll 
do ? Be extremely surprised too, without all doubt, 
Sir, I replied : I do not know what he will do ; but 
I am confident, I know what he would not do, which 
is, he would not advise your Royal Highness to this 
measure. He answered, that the measure was fixed, 
that he was resolved, and wanted no advice, but he 
would not send to him, nor to Lord Scarborough, 
but to the Duke of Dorset and Lord Wilmington 
he would send, being resolved it should come into 
the House of Lords the same day, or soon after, let 
the fate of it be what it would in the House of Com- 



395 

mons. He stopped here a little, and used some ex- 
pressions, as if he would have me to understand, that 
he had said enough about all those that he thought 
I lived with in the closest connexion. I endeavoured, 
after assuring him with what affectionate duty we 
had always been his sincere servants, to show the 
great improbability of success in such an undertaking; 
but he cut me short, and said, None at all, that there 
were precedents for it; and mentioned that of the 
Princess of Denmark, in King William's time : that 
all the opposition, and the Tories were engaged in 
it: that as it was his own determination, and he had 
been advised by nobod}-, when he had resolved it 
in his own mind, he thought it necessary to speak to 
people himself; he had done so, to Mr. Pulteney, 
Lord Carteret, Lord Chesterfield, Master of the 
Rolls (Jekyll), and Sir William Wyn dam ; that they 
were all hearty in it : that Mr. Pulteney, at the first 
notice, expressed himself so handsomely, that he 
should never forget it : but said he could, at that 
time, only answer for himself, not expecting the 
proposition, but begged leave to consult with some 
of his friends ; which his Royal Highness granted 
him, and he had, since, assured him that they were 
unanimous : that Sir William Wyndham had said, 
that he had long desired an opportunity of showing 
his regard and attachment to his Royal Highness ; 
that he would answer for his whole party, as well as 
for himself; and that he was very happy, that an 
occasion presented itself to convince his Royal High- 
ness, by their zealous and hearty appearance in 



396 



support of his interest, how far they were from being 
Jacobites, and how much they were misrepresented 
under that name. [N. B. He spoke in the debate, 
but did not vote, and forty-five Tories were absent.] 
That Lord Winchelsea was gone down to Petworth, 
to bring up the Duke of Somerset, who he thought 
would move it in the House of Lords : that Mr. 
Sandys, Sir Thomas Saunderson, Mr. Gibbon, Mr. 
Waller, Sir John Barnard, and several others, were 
acquainted with it, and highly approved it : that, 
possibly, Sir John Barnard might move it He then 
asked me, if I had really heard nothing of it from the 
Court. I assured him, with great truth, that 1 had 
not ; from whence he was pleased to infer, how ge- 
nerally odious the Minister must be, that nobody 
would tell him a thing that so nearly concerned him, 
when by his Royal Highness's calculation of those 
that knew it, and asked leave to consult their friends, 
there could not be less than from forty-six to fifty 
that must be acquainted with it : he added, that it 
would make an end of his power, or to that effect, 
which I had no reason to be sorry for. I told him 
that, indeed, I had no reason, nor did I pretend to 
be partial to the Minister, but it was my misfortune 
to differ so far from his Royal Highness, that I 
thought this measure would be the most effectual 
one to secure and strengthen him. He seemed 
much surprised at that, and asked my reason. I 
said I thought so, because the Minister had, I be- 
lieved, long since experienced, that he could have 
no hopes of governing by the approbation, and affec- 



397 

lion, of the people : that his only security, therefore, 
was his favour, and hold at Court : and in my poor 
opinion, this unhappy measure would make the 
King's cause, and his, inseparable, and rivet him yet 
faster where his only strength lay. I then humbly 
begged him to consider the circumstance of time; 
how far it might be consistent with the known great- 
ness and generosity of his character, to make such 
ao attack, when his father was in a languishing con- 
dition. He replied, that he was sensible of that, 
but he could not help it : he was engaged, and would 
go through : the King could not live many years, 
but might linger thus a good while, and he could not 
stay that while: that the time, indeed, had its incon- 
veniencies of one sort, and he wished it otherwise, 
but it had its conveniencies of another ; it would 
make people more cautious, and apprehensive of of- 
fending him : that, besides, he had told the Queen of 
it in the summer, and assured her that he designed 
to bring it into Parliament ; that she had treated it 
as idle and chimerical ; that it was impossible that he 
should make any thing of it, and seemed to think he 
was only in jest ; that if his friends stood by him, he 
should carry it in the House ; but if he missed there, 
he could not fail of it in six months : that I should 
know the family as well as any body; he always 
thought I did ; but found that I did not, or would 
not: but he himself knew his own family best ; and 
he would make a bet that, if he failed, now, he gain- 
ed his point in less than a twelvemonth, by this 
means: in short, he was resolved, and too far en* 



598 

gaged in honour to go back : that it was his due, and 
his right ; absolutely necessary to make him easy 
the rest of his life : he could never want his friends 
but on this occasion : those that would stand by him 
in this, he should always look on as his friends, and 
reward as such ; those that would not, he should not 
reckon to be so, they would have nothing to expect 
from him ; and several other expressions to that 
purpose : that it was to be brought in soon ; in what 
shape, whether by address, or otherwise, he believed 
was not yet settled, but soon it must be. I made no 
particular answer to this last part, but only expressed 
my concern for the consequences ; and waiting on 
him down stairs to his horse, begged of him to con- 
sider, how necessary it was to delay it from the great 
impropriety of the time. He said, if a little time 
would do, it might be considered, but the King might 
linger out the session in the same way. I took the 
liberty to ask, what would be the ill consequence if 
that should happen, and it should go over to another 
session. He said that could not be, his honour was 
too far engaged; he could not, he would not stay. 

Here this conversation ended, without any direct 
demand to vote for this proposal, on his side; and 
without any direct promise, or refusal, on mine; and 
I left his Royal Highness with very great uneasiness 
and perplexity upon my mind, considerably aug- 
mented by the great ease and tranquillity that ap- 
peared upon his : which is the natural effect of great 
resolutions, when they are fixed and determined. 



399 

Upon reflection on what had passed, finding it 
was resolved to apply, personally, to the Duke of 
Dorset, Lord Wilmington, and Sir Paul Methuen, I 
thought it a duty of the friendship in which we had, 
so many years, lived, to prepare them for so dis- 
agreeable a conference : and first, as he was to be 
called on the next day but one, I acquainted Sir 
Paul Methuen with it. We joined in lamenting the 
fate of this country, to be divided and torn to pieces 
by a disunion in this Royal family, which, with so 
many ardent wishes, with the profusion of so much 
blood and treasure, we had, at last, so happily placed 
on the throne, to end all our divisions, and protect us 
in union and tranquillity. We agreed that Sir Paul 
Methuen should not seem to be any ways apprised of 
the cause of sending for him, but should lay hold on 
all overtures that should be given him, to represent 
strongly to his Royal Highness the very fatal conse- 
quences of this undertaking; and by no means give 
him any the least reason, or encouragement to think, 
that he would vote for it. 

1 then opened the matter to the Lords. We had 
several conferences upon it ; and agreed to commu- 
nicate it to Lord Scarborough, by the Duke of Dor- 
set. The Lords unanimously agreed to do their ut- 
most to prevent this ill-adrised attempt (if they were 
sent to), and not to be hindered, by any interrup- 
tions, from representing strongly to his Royal High- 
ness, the fatal consequences of it. But in case he 
persisted in it, to declare plainly to him, that they 



400 

should think themselves obliged in conscience, and 
in honour, to oppose it, as fatal to his Royal High* 
ness, injurious to the King, and destructive to .the 
quiet and tranquillity of the whole country ; and de- 
sired me to do so too, in case it should be my lot to 
be first called upon. 

Sir P. Methuen was not sent for on Thursday, 
which gave me some hopes (vain ones indeed) that 
the great coldness I had received the proposition 
with, might have had some weight. On Friday the 
1 lth, I received a message from the Prince, at Mr. 
Stanhope's, where I dined, to attend him next 
morning to Kew, I was not sorry for the opportu- 
nity, being resolved to leave no ambiguity in his 
Royal Highness's mind about my behaviour, and 
very apprehensive that names going about, and mis- 
represented as doubtful upon so important a point 
(how insignificant soever) might influence, or mislead 
unwary people. Before we rose from table, at Mr. 
Stanhope's, a servant brought me word that Sir P. 
Methuen had been at my house, and left word that 
he was gone home. I went directly to wait on him. 
He was then just gone from the Prince, to whom he 
had represented the danger and impracticability of 
this measure, with all the force and weight that be- 
came so honest and so honourable a man ; and used 
all possible arguments, that a good head and a good 
heart could suggest, to dissuade him from it ; but 
all without effect : that he then declared to him, that 
he could not be for him; but, at the importunate 



401 

and repeated request of his Royal Highness, and re- 
flecting that he had not attended the House, so as to 
give one single vote since the excise bill, he had been 
prevailed on to promise his Royal Highness to be ab- 
sent, as he used to be. 

On Saturday the 1 2th, early in the morning, I re- 
ceived a message from the Prince, that he had put 
off his journey to Kevv that day. However, being 
willing to come to an explanation, it was thought 
proper that I should place myself in the way, and 
go to his Royal Highness's apartment, to inquire af- 
ter his, and her Royal Highness's health. The Pages 
told me that he was not come from the Princess's 
bed-chamber, but was pretty well, and had altered 
his resolution of going to Kew. I went away on 
foot, and did not return home all the morning. Just 
before three, one of the Prince's servants found me 
in the Park; told me he had been at my house, but 
the servants knowing nothing of me, he had been 
all over the town after me, to let me know there was 
a mistake in the morning message, and that the 
Prince ordered me to dine with him, that day, at 
his house in Pall Mall. 

I dressed, and got thither before his Royal High- 
ness, but not before the company, which consisted 
chiefly of his bed-chamber. When he came, he de- 
sired the gentlemen to amuse themselves, and that 
he would take a walk with me till dinner. In the 
garden, after a little common conversation, he began 

Dd 




402 

by telling me that he had seen Sir Paul Methuen, 
and insinuated that Sir P. seemed well enough satis- 
fied with the proposition. I said I was infinitely sur- 
prised, and mortified that I should differ with him in 
opinion, in an affair of such consequence, consider- 
ing the long friendship between us, which implied 
some similitude of thinking. Upon which, he re- 
ceded a little from that, and seemed to give me 
leave to think that Sir P. did not much approve of 
it, but, however, had promised to be absent. Then 
he said he had talked to several people, and they all 
entered into it most heartily. Having taken my own 
party, I did not think proper to inquire who they 
were, though I was very curious to know; being 
persuaded (and I am so still) that there could not be 
one unprejudiced man in the nation of competent 
age, weight, and experience, to advise a Prince, 
that would approve of such a measure. After some 
pause, he told me he had spoken to Mr. Hedges (his 
Treasurer) and Lord Baltimore (of his bed-chamber) 
who were zealously for it. I said, no doubt his ser- 
vants would vote for it ; nobody could take it ill of 
them ; they would have leave to do it. He answer- 
ed, that it was no matter whose leave they had, so he 
had their votes. He added, that he had spoken to 
Mr. Arthur Herbert, who not only engaged for him- 
self, but would bring in all his friends. I smiled, and 
said, I did not apprehend that he could make any 
vote but his own. [His brother was in France.] He 
said he would bet Mr. Herbert could'make above five. 
I replied, that, if it were so, it must be by making 



403 

use of his Royal Highness's name. He said, that 
every body was for him: he was absolutely deter- 
mined to bring it in : he would hear no advice upon 
it ; and if there were but seven in the House of Com- 
mons, and three in the House of Lords for him, he 
would do it. I told him, that, since he was absolute- 
ly determined, I thought it necessary to lay my 
humble opinion before him, when he would please 
to receive it. He said, he did not want my opinion, 
his party was taken. I replied, that I did not pre- 
sume to offer my opinion as what was to guide his 
actions, but to lay before him what was to direct and 
govern my own ; which I should be glad to take the 
first opportunity of doing, this not being a proper 
one, because I saw one of the gentlemen coming to 
acquaint his Royal Highness that dinner was served, 
lie took no notice of that, but walked into the wood, 
and said that he would show me the Duke of Somer- 
set's letter, which he did. It contained a pretty 
long account of the precarious state of his Grace's 
health, which made it impossible for him to come to 
town : referred to Lord Winselsea for his opinion of 
the communication he had received of his Royal 
Highness's intentions ; and concluded by wishes that 
his Royal Highness may live many years in health, 
prosperity, and plenty : he made me take notice of 
the word plenty. I said that, with humble submis- 
sion, this letter did not seem to me to amount to a 
promise, nor gave the least prospect of his Grace's 
coming to town. He said it was no matter, he should 
have his proxy, which was the same thing [as indeed 
Dd2 



404 



he had]. He then, with a great deal of vehemence, 
fell upon the difficulties he lay under : that as he 
had sacrificed himself to the nation, by demanding 
a marriage (though the Princess was the best, and 
most agreeable woman in the world), the nation 
ought to stand by him : that if people would value 
their employments more than right and justice, he 
could not help it ; though he was so strong that he 
was sure the Court durst not touch any one that 
voted for him. 1 got an opportunity of putting in a 
word here, and said, that I saw very well, little regard 
would be had to any professions of not being biassed 
by one's employment, though I thought my be- 
haviour towards those in power plainly showed (and 
to nobody more plainly than to himself) that I was 
not very solicitous about mine : but I did, in my con- 
science, think (and believe that every honest man, 
whose circumstances were above necessity, would 
think) this matter to be far above any pecuniary 
considerations : that a breach, so irreparable as this 
proceeding must occasion, would, for the future, 
take off all the grace and lustre of any employment 
of either side : that no man of honour above neces- 
sity, could serve, for the future, with pleasure, under 
the uneasy apprehensions that duty on the one side 
might be misconstrued into disaffection on the other : 
and therefore, I humbly besought him to believe 
that gentlemen, in this great case, would lay aside 
those lesser considerations, and act upon superior 
and more affecting motives, their duty to the whole, 
which I thought evidently in danger. He replied, 



405 

that it was to no purpose to talk about things settled 
and resolved amongst friends : that it was very hard 
he should be all his life in want, and the only one in 
the nation that was not to have justice done him : 
that, now was the time, and the only one, for people 
to do what they owed him; that he should expect it 
of them; he asked his right, and neither apprehend- 
ed, nor foresaw, any ill consequences from it, I asked 
him, if he did not think it very dangerous to him to 
drive things to such an extremity between him and 
his father, as might make it the interest of one half 
of the gentlemen of England, that he should never 
come upon the throne ? He replied, why would they 
make themselves desperate ? Why would they not 
do what they owed him, and what was justice ? It 
would be their own faults: did he deserve less than 
the Princess of Denmark ? The gentlemen stood by 
her. I endeavoured to show him the difference of 
the case, in one essential point, which I thought 
most likely to strike him, viz. In that case the addi- 
tion was proposed when the civil list was precarious, 
and not granted to King William for his life ; and 
upon re-granting the duties which were then in the 
power of Parliament, that addition was demanded in 
her favour. But he gave no attention to it, but walk- 
ed about with great precipitation, and a good deal 
agitated. As I saw there was no room left to make 
any impression upon him, I thought it was high 
time to put an end to the conversation, and therefore 
told him, that since 1 found him unalterable in his 
resolution, I would not presume to oiler any thing 



406 

more in opposition to it, but must beg leave to give 
him my plain sentiments as to myself: that I would 
have been glad to have had liberty to consult my 
friends, because it would have given my opinion 
more weight with myself, but as that could not be, 
and as I believed nothing they could say would alter 
it, I thought myself obliged to declare to him, and I 
did it with great concern, that if this matter came 
into Parliament, I should think myself obliged, in 
honour and conscience, to give my absolute dissent 
to it, as pernicious and destructive to all the Royal 
Family, and to the nation in general. He seemed 
very angry, but curbed himself a little; and said he 
could never have expected this from me ; but he 
supposed then, that he was to expect all my friends 
against him [meaning those gentlemen of the House 
of Commons whom he thought I could influence]. 
I told him that I spoke only for myself; that I had 
not dropped the least hint to any one of them ; they 
would know it but too soon. This conversation 
brought us to the door : I saw he was very much 
heated, and, going in, he said he must do as he 
could ; that in the Princess of Denmark's time there 
were gentlemen that valued doing right, more than 
their employments ; he was sorry the race of them 
was extinct : I had only time to say, that I was to 
submit to whatever his Royal Highness pleased to 
think, or say, and content myself with doing what I 
thought my duty. Thus we went to dinner, with a 
great deal of anxiety on my part, from the real af- 
fection, as well as reverence, that I bear him : and 



407 

with much more freedom and gaiety on his, than I 
could possibly put on. 

As soon as dinner and drinking was over, we rose, 
and I shuffled myself into the midst of the company, 
in order to get away with the first of them, when he 
pleased to make us his bow ; but he dismissed them 
all, and ordered me to come with him into the little 
room. This conversation was much the longest, 
lasting near two hours; but as there was a great 
deal of repetition, I shall only put down what has 
not been already said ; though scarce any thing was 
said by him, in the two former, that was not strongly 
repeated, and insisted upon, in this. 

His Royal Highness began by telling me that he 
had done with asking me any thing more for his sake, 
but, as he had always had the greatest kindness and 
affection for me, he would now talk to me a little, for 
my own. That he desired me seriously to consider, 
in this affair, my own reputation in the world ; that 
it would suffer extremely by leaving him : that I 
must be sensible, I had done myself a great deal of 
hurt in the opinion of mankind, already, by ac- 
quiescing so much as I had done, in measures, with 
those who had treated me, and all my friends so ill; 
but that it would be a great aggravation to that pre- 
judice, if I neglected so advantageous an opportuni- 
ty as this of getting free from it: and much more 
to this purpose. After humble thanks for his good- 
ness, I replied that I was very sensible of the diffi- 



408 

culties I lay under : that I had no choice to make 
but what must be disagreeable, and painful to me : 
that as to the Ministry, I had very little regard to 
those who treated me, or any of my friends slight- 
ingly : that I thought nobody cared less who knew 
it, or took less pains to conceal it : that in an affair, 
where I was convinced the whole was concerned, I 
must prefer my own integrity to the opinion of the 
world, and keep peace at home, whatever other peo- 
ple might think, or say. He said it was strange, 
that his best friends, and those he counted most 
upon, should be against him : that he wondered I 
should consider my own character, and my interest 
so little: he had always had the greatest kindness 
for me ; he was resolved to show it in the most dis- 
tinguished manner ; why would I make it impossible? 
Why, when he should have it in his power, give oc- 
casion to have it thrown in his teeth, that he was go- 
ing to distinguish one who had left him at the only 
time that he could want his friendship ? That I must 
be sensible, after this, he could see me no more up- 
on the foot he had done. I said, I was extremely 
sensible of the truth of all he had been pleased to 
say, and that I had no comfort on either side, but 
from the sense of doing my duty : that my reason 
informed me this was a measure fatal to himself, and 
to the whole country; I was convinced of it; and 
my honour and conscience obliged me to dissent 
from it. He asked me, supposing that were so, if I 
never had given a vote against my opinion, in con- 
currence with those I had no reason to like ? I an- 



409 

swered, I had, many ; and believed it was the case 
of every body who had acted with a party, either 
for, or against an Administration : mat, in my opi- 
nion, business was not to be carried on in an abstract- 
ed way, by considering every point simply, and 
without connexion to the whole : but that I had 
never acted contrary to my opinion, where I thought 
the whole immediately concerned, as I stood con- 
vinced it was, in this ; and therefore, no earthly 
consideration could make me be for it. He then 
pressed me much with the authority of the people 
engaged : Would I talk with Mr. Pulteney and 
Lord Carteret ? and if I was convinced it was their 
opinion, and they thought it right, would I then be 
for it ? It could do no hurt to see them at least. I 
replied, I could have no doubt that they were en- 
gaged in it, after what his Royal Highness had been 
pleased to say; and that Lord Carteret might be the 
more easily induced to it from a persuasion that it 
must drop in. the House of Commons. He said, that 
if there were but three votes for it, there, it should 
come into the House of Lords : Did I think him so 
simple as not to know Carteret ? Would I see them ? 
I answered, thai I had the greatest regard for Lord 
Carteret's parts and abilities, and the most sincere 
respect and value for Mr. Pulteney, with whom I 
had lived in an intimate acquaintance for some years, 
and whom I always reckoned one of the most con- 
siderable men this country had bred : that if his 
Royal Highness commanded me, I was very willing 
to wait on them, but in no ways upon the foot of 



410 

altering my opinion, singly upon their authority, and 
because the contrary might be theirs : but (I over- 
shot myself so far as to add), to show his Royal High- 
ness how much I was in conscience persuaded of the 
truth of my opinion, unequal as I was (and in no- 
body's thoughts more so than in my own), I would 
venture to talk with both those gentlemen, before his 
Royal Highness, upon the consequences of this mea- 
sure ; and if they could show me that the bringing it 
into Parliament would not be attended with the 
greatest dangers, prejudice, and divisions, both in 
the Royal Family and the nation, be it right or wrong 
in itself, when brought in, then I would be for it. 
His Royal Highness dropped this proposition (which 
I was extremely glad of, having given a very indis- 
creet opening against myself), and said it was his due ; 
he hoped it was no fault to claim his due ; and the 
Master of the Rolls told him that it was his right in 
equity. I said that equity amongst gentlemen, in- 
deed, was understood to mean a plausible demand to 
a thing ; but as the Master was a Judge in Equity, I 
was surprised at the expression from him, and could 
hardly believe that he would affirm to me, that there 
could be grounded a legal equity upon that statute, 
to take the allotment of the estate thereby vested in 
the Crown, out of the King's disposition. He said 
it was his right, he had one hundred and eighty en- 
gaged to support him, and he hoped he should ob- 
tain it. 

Not seeing the end of the conversation, 1 was re- 



411 



solved, if possible, to do what I thought my duty, 
and to set before him the precipices he was going to 
plunge into, let the reception it met with be what it 
would; and accordingly, I took the liberty of saying, 
that since it was absolutely necessary he should have 
50,000/. per ann. addition, I humbly begged leave 
to know of his Royal Highness, why he would not 
rather choose to ask it of the Parliament, than to 
push this dangerous and desperate measure? That I 
was highly sensible this proposition was very far from 
being prudent, or adviseable in itself, but, bad as it 
was, yet it was so infinitely preferable to the other 
evil, that I would not only be for it, but would sup- 
port and maintain it with all my strength ; and would 
engage that all my friends, not only those of the 
House of Commons, but those of the House of Lords, 
would be for it. He said, no, he thought the nation 
had done enough, if not too much for the family al- 
ready : that he would rather beg his bread from door 
to door, than be a further charge to them ; and that 
he would have it in this way, or not at all. I replied, 
that since he expressed so much tenderness to the 
nation, I entreated him to consider the state to which 
he reduced it : to reflect upon the profusion of blood 
and treasure we had lavished, to maintain our liber- 
ties and constitution : to remember at what a vast ex- 
pense we had brought over, and maintained his fa- 
mily, solely, and singly, to secure to us, and protect 
us in the quiet enjoyment of those liberties, and thai 
constitution ; and then to think what sentiments it 
must raise in every honest country gentleman of 



412 

great property, who have warm wishes to all the 
Royal Family, and who expected nothing but a good 
word, and a kind look from every part of it in return ; 
to think a little, I said, what that body of men must 
feel to be dragged, unavoidably, by that very Royal 
Family, into the Mai necessity of being desperate 
with the possessor of, or the successor to the Crown : 
that, for my part, I should not be surprised, if they 
all absented themselves from the House, with hearts 
full of discontent, and distaste on both sides. He 
said, that if they would not do their duty cheerfully, 
they must be frightened into it; or to that effect; 
he could not suffer all his life, &c. I asked him, if 
he thought they were to be frightened ; and if they 
were, I appealed to his generosity, if that were a just 
return : that I most earnestly supplicated him not to 
overturn the constitution, and the whole Royal Fa- 
mily together : that I had always been bred in mo- 
narchial principles, such as were consistent with a 
free people : that I could no more help the people 
to intermeddle with the just rights of the Crown, 
that tamely sit still, and see the Crown invade and 
destroy the just rights of the people. Did he, could 
he believe, that if the King were to propose to a 
council, for their opinion, whether he should give 
his Royal Highness 50,000/. or 100,000/. per ami. 
that any of those Lords he had named, or myself, 
should have a moment's difficulty in delivering aud 
supporting our opinion for the larger sum ? Surely 
he could not ; there we should act according to our 
duty, and constitutionally ; but to bring the Parlia- 



413 

tnent into the King's closet, for them to examine 
into his most private, domestic affairs, intrude them- 
selves into the government of his private estate and 
family, was, surely, the most fatal precedent that 
could be made, and the most unheard-of to be at- 
tempted by a Prince that was to succeed him : that 
I most earnestly conjured him to consider what he 
was doing : that we all hoped he would have children : 
that he knew he had a brother ; if it should happen, 
when he was on the throne, that discontents should 
arise (and there had been discontents under the 
best Princes that ever reigned), how would he like 
to have a Parliament tell him, that the Duke was an 
amiable, and a popular Prince, of great merit and 
expectation ; that they thought his appanage too 
small, and desired his Majesty to double it : that he 
was born in England, and the nation could not think 
themselves safe in keeping up such an army, unless 
the Duke was declared General ? Would he like 
this ? and yet this they might do, they would have a 
precedent for it, and what was more extraordinary, 
and unanswerable, a precedent of his own making. 
He said, he knew how to avoid that : he gave me 
his word he would make his children and his brother 
entirely easy, they should have most ample allow- 
ances ; that would be a most effectual way to keep 
every body quiet. 1 asked him if he was sure that 
tbey would be all, and always reasonable ? Would alL 
those that advised them, be so r Could he be blind 
to what fatal foundations he was laying for future 
disturbances ? And begged him to consider, that 



414 

even rebellions, with a Prince of the Blood at the 
head of them, lost a great deal of the horror, and 
even of the danger of common rebellions. I desired, 
that he would talk to the Duke of Argyll, and Lord 
Scarborough, to see if I was single in my apprehen- 
sions. He said, no, the Duke of Argyll was too 
deeply engaged with the Court, by his employ- 
ments. I entreated him to look on the Duke in a far 
superior and more just light, as one of the first of his 
father's subjects, and more so, by his firm and unal- 
terable attachment, and unavoidable connexion to 
the whole Royal Family, than by his rank ; but, 
however, Lord Scarborough had no employment. 
He still said, no ; Scarborough, he knew, was always 
full of his fears ; which he laughed at. I replied, 
that I was sure, if Lord Scarborough had his fears, 
they were for his Royal Highness, and not for him- 
self. He still refused to speak to either of them, 
and said that, now, he did not think to speak to the 
Duke of Dorset or Lord Wilmington. I begged 
him to believe, that I only spoke my own sentiments, 
and not to alter his design of sending for them upon 
that. He said, no, it was to no purpose ; he knew 
we were in the same way of thinking, and was satis- 
fied he could expect nothing from thence, so would 
n >t send for them; nor would he, now, for Sir 
Thomas Frankland, or Sir Conyers Darcy, as he 
once designed. I still persisted to desire, that he 
would not include those gentlemen with me, who 
knew nothing of it ; but he persisted in the contrary, 
which made me say that I was extremely sorry that 



415 

he would not speak to gentlemen of that character ; 
and that I did not believe he would find one dis- 
passionate man, unheated by opposition, of figure 
enough to be consulted, who would not most ar- 
dently and vehemently advise his Royal Highness 
against this measure. He then renewed his instances 
strongly to make me for it, and said he should make 
a very bad figure in the world, when it appeared that 
his best friends were against him (and this he re- 
peated often) in the only point he could want them, 
and in a point I well knew he was, always, entirely 
set upon, and had always had in view. I replied, it 
was true, I did know he was always bent upon it, but 
his Royal Highness as well knew, that I always as 
constantly opposed this way of attempting it : that 
he well knew that my firmness on this head was the 
first and chief cause of his withdrawing, for these two 
years last past, the confidence he formerly honoured 
me with : that I spoke it without the least thought of 
complaint, but he knew it was so ; and therefore, as 
I could, by no means, charge his Royal Highness 
with acting inconsistently in pursuing this view, he 
must also do me the justice to own, that I acted con- 
sistently with myself in dissenting from it : that as 
he had been graciously pleased often to use the word 
friends leaving one, friends not assisting one, &c 
I most humbly begged leave to submit, if it was 
friendly to take a resolution of the highest nature, a 
resolution one was known to be against, and un- 
alterably to fix that resolution, with I could not say 
who ; not with the friends, certainly, of those he was 



416 

graciously pleased to call friends ; and all this, with- 
out the least communication to them till it was irre- 
coverable ; without giving them the least opportu- 
nity of having their objections weighed, or their 
scruples removed ; but only to tell them that the 
thing was fixed, and they must follow, or refuse it. 
He then set forth how unpopular the court had made 
itself through the nation, which was much the reverse 
on his side. I told him, that I reflected, with much 
concern, on any unpopularity, but was thoroughly 
persuaded that this measure would lessen the unpo- 
pularity where he seemed to express the greatest dis- 
like ; and lay a foundation for it, where he thought, 
and I was persuaded there was none ; because I was 
convinced that an attack upon his Royal Father, of 
this nature, and at this time, would produce so in- 
curable a division, that when men's first passions 
subsided, and they began to reflect coolly ; the au- 
thors and advisers of this measure (I did not know 
them, but the world would certainly fix it somewhere, 
unjustly perhaps), would, in the end, become the de- 
testation of mankind, and perhaps of posterity. He 
still continued to press me warmly, and said that my 
being against him cut off his fingers ; but sure I 
could not deny him to be absent, if 1 would not be 
for him. I told him, that as I now stood informed, 
it was impossible for me to be absent ; when I had 
taken a mature resolution upon a thing of this weight, 
I thought it would be inconsistent with my honour 
and reputation, not to dare to show it : that, however, 
if I could find any means to satisfy my honour to 



417 

myself in being absent, I would wait on his Royal High- 
ness again, but, as I now was informed, I thought it 
impossible; and that nothing could happen to me so 
fatal, not even his Royal Highness' s displeasure, as 
to leave the least ambiguity upon his mind of my 
conduct. He asked what I meant by ambiguity ? I 
said, to leave any doubt with his Royal Highness, or 
reason for him to suppose, that I would be for him, 
or absent, when he would afterwards hear that I was 
against him. He said, it was very strange that I 
would not be absent, when I had said, that I thought 
it natural that many gentlemen of great honour and 
property would refuse to vote in this question. I 
replied, that I could not be absent, because I did not 
come under the latter part of the description I had 
made of them, for I had said, that what would make 
such gentlemen be absent, would be a motive of dis- 
satisfaction against both, for having driven them 
to that extremity : now that could never be a motive 
with me, to whatsoever extremities I might be re- 
duced. He said, he saw then, that he was to expect 
me, and all my friends (meaning the Commoners) 
against him. I told him, that as to my friends, I had 
not dropped the least hint to them of this affair : that 
I hoped, for his sake, they would not see it in the 
light that I did ; and did promise him, that I would 
use no one argument to induce them to do so : but 
for myself, it was with great concern I was obliged 
to say, that I must be against it, unless I could find 
reasons, which I did Dot then see, and which I be- 
lieved it impossible to find, to be absent; if I did, I 
e e 



1 1 



418 

would certainly wait on his Royal Highness again, 
and let him know it. Thus ended the most painful 
conversation I ever had, or, I believe, ever shall have, 
whilst I live. 

As what is put down here is only to aid my own 
memory, while the transaction is fresh, and in par- 
ticulars, only, where I was immediately concerned, 
I will not say when the Ministry first knew of this 
resolution ; though, I think, I have undeniable rea- 
sons to believe, they did not know it till Sunday the 
13th, at soonest ; more probably not till Monday the 
14th, which is extremely surprising. On Wednes- 
day the 16th it was public, and I was stopped by se- 
veral gentlemen in the House of Commons, who de- 
sired my opinion, which I gave to none. Sir Robert 
Walpole desired me to stay the rising of the House, 
that he might speak with me : I did so ; and when 
the House was almost empty, we went behind the 
chair together. He was, then, so little informed of 
people's opinions, that he began by saying, that he 
desired to speak to me without reserve ; and there- 
fore would ask me, frankly, if upon this great ques- 
tion, I would give him a meeting. I answered, that 
this great question was not new to me : that for 
three years preceding the two last, it had been the 
great struggle of my life to prevent it from breaking 
out then : that I would not have done so, if I had 
not entirely disapproved it ; and that from that time, 
up to this very hour, I had never seen any one rea- 
son to induce me to alter my opinion. He said it 



419 

was a very handsome declaration, and he thanked 
me ; but that I well knew many things were liable to 
be imputed to us, which we were not guilty of, and 
therefore begged me to speak to my friends. I said, 
that I desired there might be no mistakes between 
us upon a subject of this importance ; that I spoke 
for myself plainly, and openly ; I always disapproved 
of this measure as pernicious and fatal to the whole 
Royal Family, and as such, would give my public 
dissent to it. As to what he called my friends, I 
supposed he meant Mr. Dodington, Mr. Wyndham, 
Mr. Beaghan, and the two Messrs. Tucker. He 
said, Yes. I replied, that as to this matter, I would 
tell him the whole truth, indifferent how far he cre- 
dited it : that it would be idle to tell him that I did 
not know of this measure, for I did, long since, but 
under such restrictions that hindered me from com- 
municating it to any body ; that I regarded those ties, 
and had not even hinted it to any one of those gen- 
tlemen ; but as the thing was now public, I had al- 
ready spoke to some of them, and did design to do 
so to the rest, to meet me that night ; but, as yet, 
could give him no manner of guess as to their opi- 
nion in this matter. He again desired me not to do 
the thing by halves, because it would be imputed. 
I told him that they were independent gentlemen ; 
that though their fortunes were not large, yet they 
were sufficient, and they were resolved they always 
should be sufficient to keep them in independency; 
that he best knew they had not been regarded, or 
treated in a manner to give them any great present 
e e2 



420 

expectations. He interrupted me here, and said vve 
understood one another ; that what 1 said with rela- 
tion to those gentlemen was true, and had proceeded 
from not being in a situation to have it otherwise, 
[meaning the coldness between us]. I replied, that 
I did understand him, but as he knew they had no 
present expectations, I could by no means say how 
far they would care to forfeit the prospect of all fu- 
ture favours and advantages. He pressed me again 
to speak to them, for, indeed, it would be imputed. 
His repeating that so often, heated me a little, and 
made me tell him, that 1 very little regarded what 
might be imputed to me unjustly : Had I any pre- 
tensions ? any expectations ? What had I asked or 
pretended ? He knew I had none : if I had, let him 
say it. He said it was very true ; that I must be sen- 
sible that there had been great misunderstandings 
between us, he was willing to suppose on both sides, 
but that so great a service as that wiped out a mul- 
titude of things. I answered, that what I should do 
was from a motive of my duty ; that I neither asked 
nor expected any reward for it, nor pretended any 
thing from it : that as to the gentlemen, I would, as 
I designed, lay the matter fairly before them, and 
plainly tell them which way I should vote : whether 
my example would influence them, they must deter- 
mine, but I should use no arguments to do it. 

I did so the same night ; and they, from their own 
judgements, entirely unbiassed, or attempted to be 
so by me, all determined to vote for the King. 



421 

On Sunday the 20th, about twelve gentlemen 
met at Sir Robert Walpole's, to be informed (as 
the custom is of all those meetings) of what is 
resolved upon, instead of being consulted (as 
the custom ought to be) upon what should be re- 
solved on. 

When the company was gone, I told Sir Robert 
Walpole that I had laid the matter before the gen- 
tlemen, and that I found they were disposed to act 
in the same manner that I had declared I would do. 
He thanked me, and was going on (as I thought) 
to mention future expectations; but I prevented 
him, by continuing to say, that if I had been so un- 
fortunate as to take another part in this unlucky 
affair, than that which the real sense of my duty, 
and zeal for the whole Royal Family, had deter- 
mined me to take, I believe he must be very sen- 
sible that the connexion between those gentlemen 
and me was such, that we should not have differed 
in opinion. He said there could be no manner 
of doubt of it. I added, that I then left him to con- 
sider whether, beside that real sense of my duty, I 
had had, from the day this King came upon the 
throne, up to that hour, any one inducement to do 
what I had resolved to do. He answered, to be sure 
not; the misunderstandings between him and me 

were very public, but now and was going on, 

but I thought it not proper to enter into explana- 
tions, and interrupted him by saying, I did not men- 
tion this in any the least way of complaint, but 



422 

thought I owed myself so much justice as to put 
him in mind of it : that as I acted from a principle 
of honour and conscience only, I was very regardless 
of the consequences that might happen to me from 
it ; though I was not so blind as not to see that I 
stood exposed to future resentments by it, at least 
as much as any gentleman in England : with which 
I took my leave. On Tuesday the 22d, the mo- 
tion was made by Mr. Pulteney, and seconded by 
Sir John Barnard ; the message and answer pro- 
duced by Sir Robert Walpole. The House di- 
vided between twelve and one ; the numbers for 
the King were 234, for the Prince 204. There 
were 45 Tories absent; 35 members voted for the 
Prince against us, who, I think, never voted against 
us before. 

On Friday the 25th, the same motion was made 
in the House of Lords (where I was also), by Lord 
Carteret, and seconded by Lord Gower. The de- 
bate lasted till past eight, when the motion was re- 
jected. The numbers for the King were 103, for 
the Prince 40. 

Thus ended this unhappy affair in Parliament: 
God only knows where the consequences of it will 
end in a nation, where, by the profligacy and dis- 
soluteness of their manners, the people seem to have 
forfeited all pretence to the divine favour and inter- 
position ; and where baseness, degeneracy, and 
corruption, is arrived to such a height, as to make 



423 

them an easy prey, not only to the glaring qualities, 
and miscalled virtues, of great, ill-designing Princes ; 
but even to the most barefaced, despicable attempts 
of the weakest, whenever they shall think fit to em- 
ploy a little low cunning, and open corruption, to 
enslave them. 



Mr, Dodington's answer to the Prince, delivered, by 
Mr. Ralph, to the Earl of Middlesex, who presented 
it to his Royal Highness, March 11, 1J48-9. 

Alluded to in page 2. 

That his Royal Highness may be thoroughly 
convinced, that Mr. Dodington is, in earnest, dis- 
posed to be as serviceable to his Royal Highness, 
and this country, as his circumstances and abilities 
will give him leave, he has resigned the office he 
had the honour to hold under his Majesty. 

And having premised thus much, he humbly hopes 
he may be indulged in saying, That, if, by the most 
gracious offers his Royal Highness is pleased to 
make, of receiving him to the same degree of fa- 
vour and protection as he once enjoyed, his Royal 
Highness means to admit him to the honour of being 
about his person, at his leisure hours, as a most re- 
spectful, most aifectionate, and most disinterested 






424 

attendant, he shall receive that great condescension^ 
with all the reverential duty and respect, that be- 
comes him, to a great and amiable Prince, who is 
thoroughly capable, by that means, of making the 
decline of his life much the happiest part of it. 

But as to entering into his Royal Highness's pub- 
lic business ; to advise or direct the measures which 
his Royal Highness may think fit to have pursued in 
Parliament, by his family, and followers, while him- 
self, and his very few most efficient friends, are not 
in his Royal Highness's service; or presuming to take 
a lead; or invite, or engage others, to follow his 
Royal Highness's standard ; he humbly hopes it will, 
in no degree, be expected from him ; because he 
knows, and is convinced, that his rank and fortune 
must render such an attempt vain and impracticable : 
nor does he believe, that any body, much his supe- 
rior in both, could effectually serve his Royal High- 
ness in that way, how necessary soever it may be, 
without those additions. 






425 



The follozving Letter, and Memorial, was sent to the 
Prince of Wales, by Mr. Dodington, October 13, 
1749, and is taken notice of in page 12. Mr, 
Dodington advises his Royal Highness not to appear 
at the head of opposition, and attempts to dissuade 
him, from even encouraging any opposition, ivith such 
sensible and honest arguments that would reflect ho- 
nour upon the most upright Statesman. 

SIR, Hammersmith, Oct. 13, 1749. 

I came from Eastbury to Hammersmith last 
night, but too late to pay my duty to your Royal 
Highness, as I designed when I sat out. I hope to 
have that honour and happiness, some time this 
morning, if your Royal Highness should happen to 
be at leisure. 

In the mean time, I humbly presume to lay the en- 
closed Memorial before your Royal Highness, to fill 
up a serious quarter of an hour ; and as a proof that 
your service has not been out of my head, or heart, 
since I left your Royal Presence. 

I am, &c. 



436 



Memorial for the Prince. 

SIR, October 12, 1749. 

Though I must own I am under but little, per- 
haps too little constraint, when I converse with your 
Royal Highness, in the familiarity of private life, 
which your condescension, often, calls me to : yet, 
when I approach you in the light of a great Prince 
of admirable endowments, by nature; highly im- 
proved by art and observation; a Prince with one 
foot on the throne of a, once, great, and power- 
ful People ; called thither by Providence, to pre- 
vent, or complete its ruin : when I approach you 
in this light, and, above all, when I consider, that I 
am called to offer my serious opinion, relating to a 
conduct that must determine this awful event ; I 
confess I am too much agitated, between the re- 
solution of doing my duty to my country, and the 
fear of offending by too full, and plain a discharge 
of it, to speak to your Royal Highness with that 
calmness of mind, that full possession of myself, 
which the greatness of the object, the operation, 
and the actor require, upon so solemn an occasion. 

I have, therefore, chosen this way of memorial, as 
a means to lay my thoughts before your Royal High- 
ness, in a less confused manner, and, at the same 
time, to give you an opportunity of examining them, 



427 

as your leisure and inclination shall dictate: humbly 
' hoping, only, that you will give them a full and 
calm consideration, as the settled opinion, after 
much reflection, of a man bound in duty, and im- 
pelled by gratitude and inclination, to prefer your 
true glory and interest, and the welfare of this coun- 
try (which are inseparable), to all other, earthly, 
considerations ; and one, who looks upon the faith- 
ful discharge of this great duty, as the most import- 
ant article he is answerable for, to Almighty God, 
before whom he expects, shortly, to appear. 

As nobody has seen this paper ; elegance, and ac- 
curacy, it may, possibly, want : sincerity, and affec- 
tion, it, certainly, will not : the head may err ; the 
heart cannot. 

I shall begin, Sir, with parliamentary affairs, so 
far forth only, as they relate to the part your Royal 
Highness, in your present situation, ought to take in 
them, by those who are more immediately honoured 
with your character, and protection. 

I choose to begin with this head, because it is most 
pressing in point of time ; because it is what you 
are most deeply engaged in; and because (though 
perhaps unavoidably at first) it is, now, become the 
source, and cause of all the most considerable diffi- 
culties you labour under ; and which, each in its 
turn, may be the subject of different memorials, if 












1 






428 

you shall please to approve of this method of laying 
my thoughts before your Royal Highness. 

The narrow measure of governing by a party, 
which has unfortunately attended the frequency of 
Parliaments (a thing, in itself, most desirable), seems 
to have been the occasion, that opposition has, too 
frequently, changed its views, from the redress of 
grievances (its ancient, and only justifiable object), 
to a pursuit of private preferment, or private resent- 
ment. Let us take them separately, and see if a 
Prince of Wales can appear at the head of either, 
consistent with his true greatness. 

And first, let us consider an opposition carried on 
for the private preferment of the opposers. Can a 
Prince of Wales be preferred ? He must be King ; 
and as he can be nothing else, can such an opposi- 
tion make him so, one hour before his time ? or if it 
could, would he not reject it with horror and indig- 
nation ? 

Let us, next, form to ourselves an opposition found- 
ed upon resentment; a resolution to pull down, pos- 
sibly to punish, those that have offended us, without 
considering consequences. 

Will a Prince of Wales appear to act publicly, 
from resentment, and passion only ; and that too, 
under the disadvantage of appearing to do it, peevish- 



429 

ly, personally, ineffectually; when he must, one 
day, have it in his power to do it, nobly, nationally, 
and effectually ? 

Having shown that the ends, to which oppositions 
have been usually directed, are inconsistent with 
the interest, and true glory of a Prince of Wales, in 
your present situation ; let us examine, if the me- 
thods of opposition, employed to attain those ends, 
are better calculated for your Royal Highness's 
great purposes. 

In the first case, then, that I have stated, which is 
that of an opposition founded on self-interest, only : 
the methods, in short, are a steady and unvariable 
attention to propose every thing that is specious, but 
impracticable, or unseasonable : to depreciate and 
lessen every thing that is blameless, and to exag- 
gerate and inflame every thing that is blameable; in 
order to make the people desire, and the Crown con- 
sent to, the dismission of those in power, and place, 
to make room for the leaders, and followers of the 
opposition. But a Prince of your elevation, Sir, 
cannot act as the head of any Administration ; it is 
descending too low; nor can your followers act un- 
der any, without ceasing to be so. 1 humbly think, 
it is not your interest to drive them from you; and 
I am sure, it is not theirs, to quit the certain favour 
a King whom they will have contributed to make 

rreat King, tor the uncertain, ill-willed, precarious 



430 

emoluments, which they may snatch, in the scramble 
of a new Administration, forced upon the Crown. 

The methods of carrying on the second sort of op- 
position I have mentioned, in which, resentment is 
the chief motive and ingredient, admit of a very 
short discussion : they are much the same with the 
other, only heightened, and inflamed. Proposing 
things, not only unseasonable, but dangerous, and 
subversive of government itself: opposing right, 
and wrong, with equal vehemence : and endeavour- 
ing to overturn the whole system, rather than not 
reach those, who have the supreme direction of it. 
I presume, you, Sir, who are, by Providence, called 
to govern, will not contribute to make all govern- 
ment impracticable, or sacrifice to resentment and 
passion, the welfare and prosperity of the people, in 
which, your own interest and glory is inseparably 
implicated, and involved : nor will those, who hope 
to govern under you, find their account in such a 
method of opposition. 

Be pleased, Sir, to let us make a little stand, here, 
to see what we have proved ; and to consider, what 
consequences, necessarily, follow from the things 
proved, that ought to influence your present and 
future conduct. 

It is proved, I hope beyond all possibility of doubt, 
that the oppositions we have seen carried on, in this 



431 

country, hitherto, are neither becoming your Royal 
Highness, in your present situation, nor advantage- 
ous to your followers: that such an opposition never 
can, either by its means or its ends, establish that 
point, which, alone, ought to influence the public 
actions of a Prince : of a Prince like you, Sir, who 
want only to be seen as you really are, not as you 
are misrepresented (to which misrepresentations, 
the opposition has, unavoidably, furnished some 
foundation and pretext), to become the sole object 
of mankind's expectation, for the redress of all the 
grievances they feel, and the dispensation of all the 
future benefits they hope for. 

Admitting, then, all this to be proved, what fol- 
lows from it ? Are we to infer, that the opposition, 
which your Royal Highness countenanced and pro- 
tected, was improperly and injudiciously entered 
into, and consequently, that there ought to be no 
opposition at all ? Are one, or both of these points, 
the doctrine you w r ould establish ? Neither the one 
nor the other. 

I am ready to own, that, considering the humiliat- 
ing situation prepared for your Royal Highness, at 
vour first coming to Britain, perhaps you had no 
means of procuring yourself a proper independency, 
but by having recourse to the unprincely weapon 
of opposition. 

I will, also, willingly admit, that such an indepen- 



432 







deace was necessary to establish the dignity, and 
greatness of your representation, and to show you, 
in the proper light of a mediator between the King 
and the people : one, from whom they are to hope 
and expect every benefit they wanted, either by 
your intercession with, or succession to, sovereign 
power. 

But as these concessions are true, and justify your 
conduct towards the attainment of that necessary in- 
dependence, your Royal Highness must, on the 
other side, own, that your being obliged to pursue 
it, by those means, has forced you to submit to 
many things, painful to you, in the execution : im- 
proper audiences and applications, condescensions 
and familiarities, that, I humbly apprehend, you 
feared, and felt, must lessen that greatness, and 
public significance, which, by the independence 
then struggled for, you were labouring to advance 
and establish. 

Your Royal Highness must also allow, that, as this 
pursuit carried in its face the full likeness of a pri- 
vate pecuniary establishment; the bulk of mankind, 
not being taught to see it as the foundation of that 
independence necessary to make you their advocate, 
or their defender, in case they should be aggrieved; 
the bulk of mankind, I say, not being taught to see, 
or rather being taught not to see, it in that light, 
judged of it in gross, and, as it carried private in- 
terest in the face, concluded (since you went into 



433 

Court, upon gaining your point), that the same 
private interest was interwoven with the whole, and 
composed the constituent and essential parts of your 
intention, and design. 

So that the unavoidable consequences of this me- 
thod of opposition became a drawback upon itself, 
and, in some degree, defeated its own success. For, 
though the necessary independency was established, 
there was still something wanting, to stamp, and im- 
press upon the minds of the people, that exalted 
opinion, that fervent, affectionate confidence and 
expectation, which the benevolence of your heart, 
and the force and extent of your natural genius 
(much embellished and improved) exact from all 
those, who have the happiness to see your Royal 
Highness, in a near and natural light : to find, and 
to fix this something, so as it may produce to my 
country, the full blessings of your most gracious 
intentions, and beneficent resolutions, is under 
Heaven, the whole object of all my care, pains, 
ambition, and reward : nor do I despair of success. 

For I cannot believe, now the end is attained, that 
your Royal Highness will continue upon yourself 
those inconveniences, which it might be necessary 
to submit to, in order to attain it ; we, indeed, your 
servants, by going on in the same eager method, and 
throwing your ^rcat name, and august patronage 
before us, might gratify our resentments, and possi- 
bly, our interests, by forcing ourselves into place 

Fl' ' 



434 

under the Ministry : I say possibly might, but I 
very believe, that there is not one of us that har- 
bours so mean a thought ; and if any one differs in 
opinion with me, upon these great points, 1 humbly 
hope your Royal Highness will be persuaded (as I 
am from the conviction of my conscience), that it 
proceeds from a different conception of things, only, 
but from a heart as affectionate and zealous as my 
own, for your Royal Highness's true interest and 
glory. But I, still, return to this point, that I do 
not imagine, that a Prince of your prudence and 
discernment will continue a pursuit, that cannot, in 
all human probability, be attended with success ; and 
if it was, could be employed to no desirable end, 
that falls within the compass of my poor compre- 
hension. 



The pursuit I mean, is a majority in Parliament, 
which I hold, morally, impossible to gain ; and if it 
could be gained, I am entirely at a loss to guess, what 
advantageous use to your Royal Highness could be 
made of it : on the contrary, I think it a thing, of all 
others, the least to be wished. For, if we were a 
sufficient majority to drive out the present Ministry, 
your Royal Highness would not, I presume, have us 
take their places ; that were to drive us from you, 
indeed ; for, in the present unhappy disposition of 
the Royal Family, you well know, that to keep the 
places into which we had intruded, we must act like 
our predecessors, very dishonourably and disgrace- 
fully to ourselves, indeed, but certainly, very of- 



435 

fensively, to your Royal Highness. Besides, if we 
were that majority, with all the emoluments and 
temptations full within reach, and in our power, is 
your Royal Highness very sure you could stop us 
all short, and hinder us from rushing in to the 
plunder ? 

This great something, then, that is wanting, this 
necessary point of light, which is not to be found in 
the present methods, or ends of opposition, must be 
fixed and ascertained, in order to proportion, and 
adapt the means to the measure. 

Now, according to my understanding, this great 
and necessary point is, to fix in the minds of man- 
kind, by the dignity and steadiness of your own be- 
haviour, a strong prepossession of your warm, and 
beneficent intentions for the welfare of this country, 
without private view, or resentment; and by such 
a choice of those, to whom you delegate the princi- 
pal direction of your affairs, as may create a full 
confidence, that you are not only thoroughly deter- 
mined, but also, properly prepared, to carry those 
intentions into full execution, when you are vested 
with power to do it. 

And now, Sir, I whom your Royal Highness may, 
hitherto, have thought an enemy to all opposition, 
become an humble advocate, in my turn, for an op- 
position ; such an one, as may be productive of this 
noble purpose, suitable to the greatness of your 
Ff2 



430 

i 

name, your reputation, and most princely accom- 
plishments : an opposition strongly marked with the 
public good, where your private views all plainly 
centre in the public welfare ; and those of your fol- 
lowers, are openly, and declaredly, confined to the 
honour of, one day, carrying your great designs into 
execution ; till that time, to ask for nothing, to ac- 
cept of nothing, but devote themselves to watch 
over the public, and prevent, as far as they can, 
any farther encroachments being made upon it, till, 
by becoming the glorious instruments of your gra- 
cious intentions, they can redress all the grievances 
they have not been able to prevent. 

The noble simplicity of this opposition, supported 
with suitable gravity, steadiness, and dignity, with- 
out doors, will awake, and fix the attention of man- 
kind on your Royal Highness, as their proper ob- 
ject of defence, and expectation. And even those 
personal points, which, though most justly grounded, 
and ably supported, would now be attempted in- 
effectually, as the movements of resentment only, 
and end in a sanction, instead of a censure: the 
prosecution of those very points will, when your 
power to punish, as well as reward, is equal to your 
will, be called for by the people, as national justice 
and public satisfaction. 



To the standard of an opposition thus strongly 
marked, and characterized with the public good, and 
the public good only ; thus cleared from every cloud, 



437 

and stain of private interest, and resentment, the 
honest, the brave, and the impartial, will gather, by 
degrees, and no slow ones, to increase the dignity, 
as well as numbers, of your Royal Highness's party. 
But while they see, or think they see, the least ap- 
pearance of trifling with the public ; or indeed, till 
they see the contrary : in my humble opinion, the 
prospect is so full of misfortune, that I choose to hide 
it from your Royal Highness, and wish I could hide 
it from myself. 

All which is humbly submitted to your Royal 
Highness's superior discernment and direction. 

G.D. 



Tliis Narrative of Mr. Ralph appears to be a justifica- 
tion of Mr. Dodington, from a malicious report that 
he had intruded himself upon the late Prince of 
Wales, and had forced himself into the service of Ids 
Royal Highness. It was written in the year 1751, 
and is occasionally hinted at in the Diary. 

It pleased his late Royal Highness the Prince of 
Wales, sometimes to discourse of political matters 
with Mr. Ralph. 

On all such occasions, the Earl of Middlesex was 
present, and sometimes Dr. Sharpe. 




438 

These discourses were generally pretty long ; and 
it seldom happened, but that his Royal Highness 
mentioned Mr. Dodington's name before they were 
brought to an end : sometimes with complaints that 
he, Mr. Dodington, had left his Royal Highness, 
but oftener with expressions of self-persuasion, that 
he should recover him again one day or another : 
adding these, or such words as these — " We have 
good subalterns enough ; but we want leaders." 

Mr. Ralph, all this while, either kept on the re- 
serve, or threw in such general suggestions concern- 
ing Mr. Dodington, as were rather dictated by sen- 
timent than policy. 

Once, and but once, when the conversation grew 
very particular, he did most humbly offer himself to 
communicate his Royal Highness's commands to 
Mr. Dodington, in case he had any to communicate, 
and should think fit to do him (Mr. Ralph) that ho- 
nour. But his Royal Highness waved the motion at 
that time, by saying, Lord Baltimore had been 
spoken to on that head ; and, therefore, when he 
had any thing to say, his Lordship would be the 
most proper person to say it. 

Notwithstanding which, at son^f distance of time, 
his Royal Highness resumed the topic one evening ; 
and, at parting, clapping his hand on Mr. Ralph's 
arm, dropped certain expressions, which, to the best 
of Mr. Ralph's remembrance, were these — Dear 



439 

Ralph, or, good Ralph, get me Dodington, if pos- 
sible — I must have Dodington at any rate. 

Mr. Ralph was rather perplexed, than pleased, 
with this commission : and Dr. Sharpe coming to 
him at Turnham Green (he believes to know his 
(Mr. Ralph's) opinion concerning it), Mr. Ralph 
told him he could not proceed upon it, as it was too 
general ; and, consequently, tended more to draw 
him into a difficulty with Mr. Dodington, than to 
answer his Royal Highnesses purpose. 

What followed was an order for him to come to 
town immediately : which, on his arrival, was fol- 
lowed by another, requiring him, expressly, in the 
name of his Royal Highness, to invite Mr. Doding- 
ton into his Royal Highnesses service; or rather, as 
it was phrased, to live with him, as he had formerly 
done, and as if that sort of life had never been in- 
terrupted: which invitation was unaccompanied with 
any offer or stipulation of any kind whatsoever. 
Nay ; when Mr. Ralph asked — if no character or 
employment, either in present or future, was allotted 
to him ; the answer given was, that nothing of either 
kind had been so much as mentioned. 

This invitation Mr. Ralph carried to Mr. Do- 
dington, who took two or three days to consider of 
it; and, having, in that interval, resigned his em- 
ployment, did, by .Mr. Ralph, send a letter, to be 
delivered into the hands of Lord Middlesex (who 



440 

was the person employed by his Royal Highness in 
this transaction), the contents of which Mr. Doding- 
ton is best able to explain. 




About four months passed over, after this, without 
producing any farther explanation of either side , 
during which interval (though Mr. Ralph did wonder 
much that his Royal Highness should be so earnest 
to have a gentleman at his devotion, whom he did 
not seem to have commands for, and might, possibly, 
take the liberty to express that wonder to his friends 
at times) he never once presumed to importune his 
Royal Highness, or to desire that he might be im- 
portuned on Mr. Dodington's account. 

Lastly ; when his Royal Highness did, of his own 
mere motion, as Mr. Ralph apprehends, take Mr. 
Dodington into his actual service, he, Mr. Doding- 
ton, did require Mr. Ralph, by and through my 
Lord Middlesex, to repeat the humble request 
which he had before made to him in person ; viz. 
that he might have the honour to serve him without 
salary, till it pleased God that his Royal Highness 
should accede to the Throne. Mr. Ralph did, ac- 
cordingly, communicate this request to my Lord 
Middlesex, to be communicated to his Royal High- 
ness, which his Royal Highness refused to admit : 
notwithstanding which, Mr. Dodington did again 
renew the same solicitation, and persist in it, through 
the same channel ; till Mr. Ralph was, at last, told 
by my Lord Middlesex, that his Royal Highness was 






441 



so firm to his purpose, on that head, that he did not 
think it adviseable to press him any farther. 



JAMES RALPH. 



Tfiis remarkable Memorial was sent, by the penny-post, 
enclosed in a cover to General Hawley, on the 20th of 
December 1/52, and is referred to in the If 6th page 
of the Diary. 

Tlie paper being received in the questionable shape of an 
anonymous letter, the reader icill naturally be cautious 
in giving too much credit to the very severe allegations 
contained in it. 



A Memorial of several Noblemen and Gentlemen of the 
first rank and fortune. 

The memorialists represent — That the education 
of a Prince of Wales is an object of the utmost im- 
portance to the whole nation : that it ought always 
to be intrusted to Noblemen of the most unblemished 
honour, and to Prelates of the most distinguished 
virtue, of the most accomplished learning, and of the 
most unsuspected principles, with regard to Go- 
vernment both in Church and State. 



442 






That the misfortunes which the nation formerly 
suffered, or escaped, under King Charles I. King 
Charles II. and King James II. were owing to the 
bad education of those Princes, who were early 
initiated in maxims of arbitrary power: — That for a 
faction to engross the education of a Prince of Wales 
to themselves, excluding men of probity and learn- 
ing, is unwarrantable, dangerous, and illegal: — That 
to place men about the Prince of Wales, whose 
principles are suspected, and whose belief in the 
mysteries of our faith is doubtful, has the most mis- 
chievous tendency, and ought justly to alarm the 
friends of their country, and of the Protestant suc- 
cession : — That for a minister to support low men, 
who were originally improper for the high trust to 
which they were advanced, after complaints made 
of dark suspicions, and unwarrantable methods made 
use of by such men in their plan of education, and 
to protect and countenance such men in their inso- 
lent and unheard-of behaviour to their superiors, is 
a foundation for suspecting the worst designs in such 
ministers, and ought to make all good men appre- 
hensive of the ambition of those ministers; — That it 
being notorious, that books inculcating the worst 
maxims of government, and defending the most 
avowed tyrannies, have been put into the hands of 
the Prince of Wales, it cannot but affect the memo- 
rialists with the most melancholy apprehensions, 
when they find that the men who had the honesty 
and the resolution to complain of such astonishing 
methods of instructions, are driven away from court, 



443 

and the men who have dared to teach such doctrine 
are continued in trust and favour: — That the secu- 
rity of this government being built on Whig princi- 
ples, and alone supported by Whig zeal ; that the 
establishment of the present Royal Family being 
settled in the timely overthrow of Queen Anne's last 
ministry, it cannot but alarm all true Whigs to hear 
of schoolmasters, of very contrary principles, being 
thought of for preceptors ; and to see none but the 
friends and pupils of the late Lord Bolingbroke in- 
trusted with the education of a Prince, whose family 
that very Lord endeavoured by his measures to ex- 
clude, and by his writings to expel, from the throne 
of these kingdoms : — That there being great reason 
to believe that a noble Lord has accused one of the 
Preceptors of Jacobitism, it is astonishing that no 
notice has been taken of a complaint of so high a 
nature : — On the contrary, the accused person con- 
tinues in the same trust, without any inquiry into 
the grounds of the charge, or any steps taken by the 
accused to purge himself of a crime of so black a 
dye: — That no satisfaction being given to the Go- 
vernor and Preceptor, one of whom, though a No- 
bleman of the most unblemished honour, and the 
other a Prelate of the most unbiassed virtue, have 
been treated in the grossest terms of abuse by a me- 
nial servant of the family, it is derogatory to his Ma- 
jesty's authority, under which they acted, is an 
affront to the Peerage, and an outrage to the dignity 
of the Church: — That whoever advised the refusal 
%f an audience to the Bishop of Norwich, who was 



444 

so justly alarmed at the wrong methods which he 
saw taken in the education of the Prince of Wales, 
is an enemy to his country, and can only mean at 
least to govern by a faction, which intends to over- 
throw the government, and restore the exiled and 
arbitrary house of Stuart: — That to have a Scots- 
man, of a most disaffected family, and allied in the 
nearest manner to the Pretender's first ministers, 
consulted in the education of the Prince of Wales, 
and intrusted with the most important secrets of go- 
vernment, must tend to alarm and disgust the friends 
of the present Royal Family, and to encourage the 
hopes and attempts of the Jacobites : — Lastly, the 
memorialists cannot help remarking, that the three 
or four low, dark, suspected persons, are the only 
men whose station is fixed and permanent ; but that 
all the great offices and officers are so constantly 
varied and shuffled about, to the disgrace of this 
country, that the best persons apprehend there is a 
settled design in these low and suspected people to 
infuse such jealousies, caprices, and fickleness, into 
the two ministers, whose confidence they engross, 
as may render this government ridiculous and con- 
temptible, and facilitate the revolution which the 
memorialists think they have but too much reason to 
fear is meditating. 

God preserve the KING. 



445 



A Conference between the Duke of Newcastle and Mr. 
Dodhigion, October 10, 1755, with the Preliminaries 
agreed on between them October \9th following. 
This bargain and sale, which, to those who are un- 
acquainted with the manners of a Court, may appear 
a singular curiosity, is mentioned in page 336. 

MY LORD, 

I understand^ by Mr. Fox, and by a letter from 
your Grace to Lord Hallifax, that the King is dis- 
posed to accept my services : and I am very ready 
to serve him, if I can do it with utility to his Ma- 
jesty and with honour to myself: for I do not want 
the service, either to mend my fortune, or for an in- 
troduction into the world ; I want it for neither. I 
am come, therefore, my Lord, to know of your 
Grace, in what, and in what shape and situation his 
Majesty expects my services. 

He said it was true : and that the King had re- 
ceived what he laid before his Majesty of my zeal 
for his family, and of my abilities, much more fa- 
vourably of late, than when he formerly had done 
all that he could with his Majesty, to 

My Lord, I beg we may not look back : that, I 
am sure, will not advance any thing 1 came hither 
about. 



446 

He said it was very obliging in me, to forget 
what was past — but he must have his own thoughts 
about it. 

And I mine, my Lord. 

He proceeded to say, that as Mr. Fox was a per- 
son agreeable to me, the King had directed that Mr. 
Fox should come to Dorsetshire to me, to settle 
matters, and that his Majesty would consent to any 
thing for myself, that I liked and should be agreed 
amongst us ; not then knowing that I should be so 
soon at Hammersmith. 

I said I had seen Mr. Fox, and that he had spoke 
tome, in generals only, about public affairs, and his 
Majesty's favourable disposition to me. 

He said he understood it so : and that Mr. Fox 
had only reported that 1 was well disposed to enter 
into the service, and if measures could be made 
agreeable, I had no objection to men. And that, 
if there was any thing I liked, and would let it be 
known, it might be shaped out to my satisfaction, 
&c. 

My Lord, where there is no offer, no answer can 
be expected. 

He said, all would depend upon measures, if those 
could be made agreeable, every thing would be 



447 

made easy ; and therefore it would be proper to go 
upon that. 

My Lord, if your Grace pleases, one thing at 
once. As you have no offer to make, you can ex- 
pect no answer upon that head : and be pleased to 
observe that J have nothing to offer, and nothing to 
ask. 

Why, to be sure, he said, if what was thought of 
was not agreeable, any thing else that I liked might 
be brought about : but what the King first thought 
of was the Comptroller's Staff. 

My Lord, I will suppose I did not hear you, and 
as you have nothing to offer, and / have nothing to 
ask, there can be no answer, and we may shut the 
book. 

He said, that if they had known T should not have 
liked the Staff, it would not have been thought of. 

My Lord, it should not have been thought of. If 
you please, my Lord, let us suppose that nothing 
specifical has been offered : and I repeat my ex- 
pectation that your Grace will remember, that I 
have nothing to offer, or propose to you, and nothing 
to ask. 

He said, he understood it so ; and that I came at 
his Majesty's requisition, who was desirous I should 



448 

come into the service. And as for measures, they 
had no particular ones, but the two treaties with 
Hesse and Russia, which last had been negotiating, 
these two years [what he meant by that, I neither 
know, nor thought proper to ask] , and he supposed 
Mr. Fox had explained them. 

Upon my answering in the negative, and saying 
that I did not believe that Mr. Fox understood them 
thoroughly himself; his Grace began to enter into 
that with Russia : but I stopped him, by saying, that 
I supposed they were two subsidiary treaties, which, 
like all others, bargained for a certain number of 
men, for a certain time : so much subsidy to the 
Princes, and such pay to the troops, when called 
for. 



Yes — exactly so — and then proceeded to show 
that the Russian treaty was the best, and only way 
to defend Hanover, and prevent a Continent war. 
That if Hanover was attacked for the sake of Eng- 
land, it ought to be looked upon as England, &c. 
And then would have gone on into the particulars, 
but I interrupted him by saying, then I would not 
lose your Grace's time in explanation, which can 
only affect the mode of the thing, and not the sub- 
stance ; I may possibly think of it, as of a dish dress- 
ed by your Grace's cook, the more palatable, the 
more unwholesome. But I will be plain with your 
Grace ; I think this Russian subsidy to be ruinous 
to this country, of most dangerous precedent, most 



449 

hurtful to his Majesty's true interest, and destructive 
of the interest of his family; at the same time in- 
sufficient to the ends proposed by it, and instead of 
preventing a Continental war, the most certain seed 
and foundation of it. And I can never think I am 
serving his Majesty by supporting it. 

At the same time I will agree with your Grace, 
and am willing it should be understood, I am for 
defending Hanover, if it be attacked out of resent- 
ment to England, and that I not only never will con- 
sent to, but will hinder, to the best of my poor little 
power, the sword's being sheathed, till Hanover be 
indemnified. I will go farther, and will allow, with- 
out farther examination, that if it be now attacked, it 
is on the account of England : but I do not think this 
Russian subsidy is the way to defend it, or to make 
the people fond of it. Besides, my Lord, your 
Grace knows, and I know, that (without this Russian 
subsidy) it will never be attacked. He said, he 
wished he did: that if I could convince him of that, 
it would be the best news that had come to England 
a great while. 

I do know it, my Lord, and I thought your Grace 
had : unless we are to suppose that people will do 
the direct contrary to what they have promised, and 
engaged to do. 

But at the same time I say this of the Russian 
subsidy, your Grace will observe that / do not say 

G S 



450 

that I will be for the Hessian : I desire not to be 
misunderstood, or misrepresented. Oh no ! he un- 
derstood me very well, and would be sure not to 
misrepresent me any where. 

My Lord, I will not be misrepresented. I do not 
say that I will approve of the Hessian subsidy, if 
there were no Russian, because considered by itself, 
'tis a silly, unadvised step ; the best one can think 
of it, or call it, is a job ; 'tis so apparently of no sig- 
nificancy, and inadequate to the purposes held out : 
and nobody can think you in earnest when you de- 
clare them: but, however, as to that, there may be 
modes and qualifications, especially as that is ratified 
and concluded, (and your Grace says that you are 
not sure you shall get the other) and as great respect 
to, and desire to comply with, his Majesty's word, 
when it was solemnly engaged, is our duty, as far as 
is consistent with our duty to our country : I say, 
there may, possibly, be found some temperament, 
in that single case, that might enable one to speak to 
gentlemen, and one's friends ; and if, upon proper 
explanations, they were disposed to make so great a 
compliment, I should not endeavour to inflame, but 
rather, possibly, be inclined to acquiesce. After a 
little, and not very material interruption, I resumed 
the discourse, and said : 

My Lord, I did not come here to dispute with 
your Grace : my opinion of the general tendency of 
these subsidies, both at home and abroad, will admit 



451 

of no variation ; and it is fit that I should acquaint 
your Grace, that as to the Russian, I will oppose it 
with all the little credit and efficacy I have, both in 
the House, and out of it : but I will do it with all the 
decency that is consistent with truth. He said, they 
were convinced of the great decency of my beha- 
viour on all occasions. And I went on to say, that 
as to the Hessians, I did not say that I would be for 
them : that point, however, might admit of some 
modification : but if they both came in, I would in- 
dubitably oppose both, for whatever I did, I would 
do thoroughly. 

After civil expressions of concern, that we did not 
agree in our opinion about measures, he let himself 
into the danger of provoking other maritime Princes 
to join France against us; from the present too 
openly professed doctrine of being masters of the 
seas : that Sweden and Denmark would, in conjunc- 
tion with France, have a fleet of fifty sail in the 
Baltic, &c. — that we had the greatest fleet, the best 
provided, officered, and directed, that ever was: 
that I saw it could not be depended upon : they 
could not hinder squadrons from going out, and 
coming in, through the most winding, difficult 
passages, &c. I got up, and said, if we were not 
superior at sea, we must give it up : that I had taken 
up too much of his time, and begged leave to re- 
capitulate what had passed, that there might be no 
room for mistake, or misrepresentation : that, in the 
first place, as to myself, 1 had made no manner of 
eg 2 



452 

offer, nor asked any thing, of any body : that as to 
measures for the Hessian subsidy, I had no ways 
said that I would be for it, if it came single ; but, in 
that case, it might admit of farther consideration ; 
but if it was to be combined with the Russian, I 
would most certainly oppose both : that I had said I 
would oppose the Russian, to the utmost of my 
power, but with all the decency that truth would 
admit : that there remained but one thing, and that 
was not recapitulation, because I had not said it be- 
fore, which was, that he should find (though I did 
not know whether ever they told him one word of 
truth) he should find (if they did) that I opposed it 
solely from the unfitness of the thing, and not be- 
cause any body there thought fit to oppose it : that 
I should show it was from opinion, my own opinion 
only, and not from any body's else : or out of dis- 
like to, or against any body, that I opposed it. I 
was unconnected with any one, and would be so, 
upon this question : how long I should continue so 
I could not tell, but I was so now. Nobody had 
any demand, any right to call upon me, but one 
gentleman, a near relation of his Grace's, Lord 
Hallifax: he had a right, and when he did call, at 
any time, and upon any occasion, I should always 
be ready to obey it. 

After a little insignificant talk, and reciprocal 
civilities, we parted. 



453 



The Preliminaries. 

What is hinted at for Mr. Dodington, is more 
than he desires for himself; but without the con- 
currence of his friends, and the following conditions 
for them, it is impossible for him to enter into any 
engagement. 

Earl of Hallifax to be of the Cabinet. Such pro- 
vision in possession, or reversion, for Mr. Furnese, 
as shall be agreed upon between him and Mr. Attor- 
ney General. 

Sir Francis Dashwood to be offered the Comptrol- 
ler's Staff, or something that is proper for, and would 
be agreeable to him ; if he can be prevailed on to 
accept any thing, which 1 very much doubt. 

Lord Talbot to be comprehended. Mr. Tucker 
to be provided for, at, or before the end of the 
sessions. 

Full liberty to oppose the subsidies, honestly and 
fairly ; which is never to cause the least coldness, 
expostulation, or remonstrance. 

Mr. Dodington is also obliged to be of the Irish 
side of the question, about the linens. 




454 

It is presumed, that there is to be no trifling; 
but that the correspondence and communication be- 
tween Mr. Dodington's friends, and the Administra- 
tion, is to be sincere, honourable, and unreserved. 



T7ie Editor, at the request of a particular friend, has 
added the following Letter to the Appendix ; it being 
a justification of the Duke of Richmond from the 
charge implied in the account of his Grace's accepting 
and resigning a place in the King's Bedchamber. — 
See page 371. And here the Editor begs leave to 
observe, that as other transactions contained in this 
Diai'y may, possibly, have been either unfairly stated, 
or partially represented, he will be happy to insert all 
explanations, that may come properly authenticated to 
him, in a future edition. 

SIR, Goodwood, June 21, 1763. 

I am much obliged to Mr. Wyndham for the com- 
munication he has allowed you to make to me of 
Mr. Dodington's Diary, which has afforded me great 
entertainment ; for few readings, in my opinion, arc 
more amusing than this sort of original memoirs, 
which give the truest picture of the times in which 
they were written. 

As the excellence of such a work consists in its 




455 

being perfectly original, the smallest alteration 
would, in my opinion, destroy its merit ; and there- 
fore, although the part, where I am mentioned, con- 
tains by no means a true state of that business, yet 
I am far from wishing to have it suppressed or alter- 
ed. All I desire is, that when Mr. Wyndham thinks 
proper to publish Mr. Dodington's Diary, he will 
permit this letter, containing the true state of facts, 
to be inserted as an explanatory note to that trans- 
action. 

Soon after his Majesty's accession, Sir Harry 
Erskine, who had been removed from the Army by 
the late King, was restored to it by his present Ma- 
jesty, with the same rank he would have had, if he 
had continued in the service ; by this means he 
came in again over my head. This induced me to 
desire an audience, in which I respectfully repre- 
sented to his Majesty, that as I had particularly at- 
tached myself to the Military, and had sought service 
upon all occasions, I was in hopes that no person 
would have been put over me. But finding from 
his Majesty's answer, that Sir Harry Erskine's re- 
moval in the late reign was owing to his attachment 
to li is Majesty when Prince of Wales, and that he 
had then made him a promise to restore him to his 
rank when he should come to the Crown, I most 
cheerfully submitted, and begged of his Majesty to 
believe, that nothing could be further from my wish, 
than that he should break his word on any account, 
•and particularly on mine. His Majesty then asked 



456 

me, how it happened that I had never thought of 
any other line than the Military ? my answer was, 
that I had not chose to put myself under an obliga- 
tion to the Duke of Newcastle, or even to my bro- 
ther-in-law Mr. Fox, being unwilling to connect 
myself with any Minister. His Majesty was pleased 
to receive very graciously all I had said. 

Being present at the next levee day, Lord Bute 
took me aside, and told me the King was much 
pleased with my behaviour in the closet : that his 
Majesty had observed my saying that I had never 
thought of any line but the Military, and had order- 
ed him to sound me (I perfectly well recollect the 
expression) whether I should have any inclination 
to a civil employment? Lord Bute added, that he 
thought the best way of sounding was at once to tell 
me the whole : that the King thought of making me 
a Lord of his Bedchamber ; that I might know it 
would not be proper for the King to make a formal 
offer, but that, if I was disposed to have it, I might 
ask it, and he could assure me I should not be re- 
fused. I thanked his Lordship, expressed my grati- 
tude to his Majesty, and desired twenty-four hours 
to consider of it. I then asked for it in form, and 
was immediately appointed. 

A few days after I had kissed hands, news arrived 
of the battle of Closter Campen in Germany, in 
which the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick, who 
commanded there, had been worsted. Lord Shel- 




457 

bume (then Lord Fitzmaurice) had been present at 
this action as a volunteer : Lord Downe commanded 
the 25th regiment, and received the wounds of 
which he afterwards died : my brother, Lord George 
Lennox, commanded a battalion of British grena- 
diers; he had been in the hottest part of the action, 
and, although he had the good luck not to be hurt, 
his clothes were shot through in several places, and 
he had the peculiar satisfaction of remaining to the 
very last with the Hereditary Prince in the wood, 
which was the scene of action, and when all his peo- 
ple were either killed or driven off, he, with a Cap- 
tain Mac Lane, actually carried off in their arms, 
the Hereditary Prince, who had no horse oi atten- 
dants, and who, from the wound he had received in 
his leg, was unable to walk. Lord Fitzmaurice and 
Lord Downe were both junior Lieutenant Colonels 
to Lord George Lennox, but his Majesty was ad- 
vised to reward their services in this action, by 
giving them the rank of Colonel over his head. 

I thought it my duty to represent to his Majesty 
how great a mortification it must be to my brother, 
after having much distinguished himself during the 
whole war, to be not only neglected, but even to see 
his juniors rewarded, by being put over his head, 
for their services in this battle, where his beha* 
viour had been so remarkable. 

My representations, however, proved ineffectual ; 
upon which I resigned the Bedchamber, a fortnight 
Hfa 






458 

after I had received it. I afterwards communicated 
to Lord Bute the step I had taken, but have not the 
smallest recollection of his Lordship's mentioning to 
me " My having talked offensively of the Scotch on 
" the promotion of Sir Harry Erskine, and of him 
t6 (Bute) in particular." On the contrary, his Lord- 
ship was very civil to me, and expressed his regret 
that I had not first communicated to him my inten- 
tions of resigning, as possibly he might have found 
means to satisfy me about my brother, and have pre- 
vented my quitting the Bedchamber. 

But the point I am most anxious to clear up is, 
Mr. Dodington's assertion, that the account which 
Lord Hallifax said I had given, " That the King 
sent and offered me the Bedchamber" — is not true— 
the account I have given will show whether Lord 
Bute was not sent to me ; and whether the manner 
in which his Lordship expressed the orders he had 
received to sound me, do not, in the language of plain 
dealing, amount to an offer of the Bedchamber from 
the King. It is true, that I did ask it in form (I be- 
lieve by letter to Lord Bute) but this was subsequent 
to, and in consequence, of his orders to sound me. and 
not at the audience I had on the business of Sir 
Harry Erskine's affair, which was previous ; for I do 
very positively declare, that till Lord Bute mention- 
ed the Bedchamber to me in that conversation, as an 
idea of the King's, it had not entered into my 
thoughts, which were never turned to that sort of 
employment. 



459 

The difference of whether I first asked for, or was 
offered this place, is very immaterial, except as to 
the charge Mr. Dodington brings against me, of 
having said what is not true. For, although it was 
very flattering to me to be thought of by his Ma- 
jesty to be about his person, I had not the silly im- 
pertinence to be above asking for that honour, if 
my turn of mind had led me that way, but I cannot 
feel indifferent as to a fact which I am stated to have 
misrepresented. 

Your sending this letter to Mr. Wyndham with 
the extract of the memoirs which I return enclosed, 
will much oblige, 

Sir, 
Your most obedient, 
And sincere 

Humble servant, 

RICHMOND, &u 



H h2 



INDEX. 



A brian, Mons. d', 16. 

Aldworth, Mr., 68. 

Amelia, Princess, 16, 143, 155, 192, 238. 

Amy and, Mr., 319. 

Andrara, Mons. d\ 16. 

Anson, Lord, 100, 190, 306, 314, 319, 339, 340, 353, 359, 

363, 386. 
Anstruther, General, 83, 100, 116. 
Argyle, Duke of, 299, 303. 
Arundel, Mr., 234, 235. 
Ashburnham, Lord, 108. 
Attorney-General. — See Murray. 
Augusta, Princess, Duchess of Brunswick, 68, 113, 135, 

141, 221, 226, 258. 
Aye, Marquis d', 77. 
Ayscough, Dr.,, 64. 

Bailey, Lady, 66. 
Baker, Alderman, 113. 

Philip, Esq., 221. 
Balch, Robert, Esq. 141, 219, 253, 256, 258, 259, 208. 
Balendine, Mr., 371. 
Baltimore, Lord, 13, 14, 15, 17, JO, 21,34, 35 t 51, 52,57, 

73. 
Bance, John, Esq., 7, 68, 102. 
Barnard, Lord.— See Vere. 

Sir John, 337. 
Barrington, Lord, 108, 241, 248, 252. 









462 

Mr, 230. 
Bath, Lord, 44, 232. 
Bathurst, Lord, 9, 11, 27,29, 44, 58, 71, 76, 258. 

Mr., 77. 
Beckford, William, 89, 208, 385. 
Bedford, Duke of, 29, 67, 68, 89, 100, 108, 148, 162, 184, 

192, 202, 209, 211,328. 
Bengal, value of, 110, 112. 
Berkeley, Mr., afterwards Lord Bottetours, 371. 
Berkeley, Lady, 66. 
Besborough, Lord, 368. 
Bettesworth, the Conjuror, 7 1 . 
Bingham, Mr., 219. 

Black-Tan, nickname of the Walpolians, 121. 
Bland, General, 117. 
Bludworth, Mr., 27, 58, 59, 101, 135. 
Bodens, Mr., 16. 
Bolingbroke, Lord, 443. 
Bolingbroke, Henry, Vise, 114, 164. 
Boone, Mr., 72, 101. 
Bootle, Sir Thomas, 14, 18, 57, 76, 77. 
Breton, William, Esq., 11, 16, 29, 58, 66, 71,77, 86,221. 
Broke, Earl, 18. 
Brunswick, Duke of, 317. 
Buckinghamshire, Lord, 371. 
Burleigh, Lord, 109. 

Burroughs, Rev. Benj., 227, 231, 258, 268. 
Bute, Earl of, 8, 11, 17, 25, 27, 58, 66 y 74, 361, 368, 370, 

372, 387, 444, 456. 
Byng, Admiral, 338, 345, 346. 

Cannon, Mrs. Midwife, 71. 
Canterbury, Abp. of, Dr. Herring, 68. 
Cardigan, Earl of, 119. 
Carlisle, Earl of, 13, 14, 44, 76, 234, 297. 



46S 

Caroline, Queen, 16. 
Carr, Silk-manufacturer, 71. 
Cary, Mr., 8, 27, 55, 114, 165. 
Cavendish, Lord George, 75. 
Lord John, 244. 
Chamberlayne, Mr., 128. 
Chandos, Duke of, 66, 88. 
Chasin, Mr., 219. 
Cherburg, Surrender of, 3Q6. 
Chesterheld, Philip, Earl of, 143, 235. 
Cholmondely, General, 10. 
Churchill, Mr. William, 111. 
Clarke, Lieutenant, 354, 355. 
Clinton, Admiral, 230. 
Cobham, Lord, 9, 107. 
Coke, Lady Mary, 15. 
Concalle Bay, attack on, 363. 
Cooke, Mr., 24, 59, 60. 
Coram, Captain, 36. 

Cornwall, Duchy of, and Mines, 61, 69, 70. 
Cornwall, Mrs., G6. 
Cotton, Sir John Hinde, 15, 20, 91. 
Coventry, Earl of, 241. 
Crawford, Earl of, 27. 

Cresset, Mr., 135, 164, 171, 172, 292, 302, 315. 
Cumberland, William, Duke of, 14, 27, 92, 1 14, 155, 162, 

177, 186, 196, 198, 199,209,222,229,292,306,308, 

314, 319, 352, 358. 
Cust, Str John, 60, 101. 

Darlington, Earl of, 232, 252. 

Dashwood, Sir Francis, 6, 7, 59, 72, 77, 78, 92, 100, 102, 

103, 106, 120, 128, 241,295, 333, 371, 379, 386. 
Davison, Major, 203. 
Dawkins, Mr., 113. 



464 

Deering, Sir Edward, 91. 

Dennis, Capt, 357. 

Devonshire, Duke of, 207, 234, 238, 243, 292, 321, 328, 

346, 349. 
Douglas, Mr., 16,101. 
Dorset, Duke of, 67, 92, 130, 134, 137, 156, 157, 163, 166, 

259. 
Down, Lord, 104, 114. 
Drake, Mr., 67, 69, 113. 
Drax, Mr., 9, 10, 61, 64, 120, 217. 
Drumlanrig, Earl of, 98. 
Drummond, Dr., Bp. of St. Asaph, 225. 
Dupplin, Lord, 230, 242, 248, 268, 273. 

Edgecombe, Mr., 98. 

Edwahd, Duke of York, 74, 113, 119, 141, 152, 188, 226, 

229, 342. 
Edwin, Lady Charlotte, 141, 142, 304. 
Egmont, Earl of, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 17, 24, 32, 34, 35, 38, 

54, 58, 66, 73, 76, 80, 82, 84, 88, 101, 220, 221, 223, 

243, 244, 250, 253, 255, 260, 267, 276, 304, 329, 333, 

374, 378. 
Egremont, Lord, 46, 103. 
Einsiddell, Comte de, 16. 
Elizabeth, Princess, 135, 141. 
Ellis, Welbore, afterwards Lord Mendip, 115, 117,239, 

240,243, 251, 369, 370. 
Erskine, Sir Henry, 82, 102, 372,455, 458. 
Eyles, Sir Francis, 120. 

Ferdinand, Prince of Brunswick, 358, 362, 382. 

Fioren, Mons. de, 1 6. 

Fitzmaurice, Lord, late Marquis of Lansdowne, 371, 457. 

Fleming, Count de, 16,36. 

Foley, Lord, 8. 



465 

Forrester, Counsellor, 1 29. 

Fosset, Mr., 193,203. 

Fox, Henry, first Lord Holland, 107, 161, 186, 217, 221, 
230, 232, 235, 237, 24-0, 270, 282, 284, 296, 299, 
308, 319, 333, 339,346,347, 350, 352, 354, 357, 37S. 

Franklin, Rev. Dr., 227. 

Frederick William, Prince, 66, 69. 

Furnese, Henry, Esq., 6, 15, 25, 27, 34, 35, 50, 51, 52, 59, 
68,71,72,73,76, 115, 129, 178, 199, 215, 232. 

Garriek, 222. 

George II., 18, 60, 68, 119, 124, 148, 175, 181, 195, 207, 

223, 231, 257, 285, 294, 315, 354, 360, 369. 
George III., 11, 68, 69, 74, 90, 104, 108, J 13, 141, 142, 

150, 166, 168, 175, 178, 194,226, 229,257, 289,292, 

299, 315,342, 345, 369. 
Gibbon, Mr., 14, 77. 
Glasse, Mr., 77. 

Glover, Richard, the Poet, 95, 192, 373. 
Godolphin, Lord, Treasurer, 180. 
Gordon, Duke of, 137. 
Gower, Lord, 143,357. 
Grafton, Duke of, 232, 283. 
Granny, Lord, 76. 

Granville, Earl of, 12, 14, 106, 109, 1 IS, 1 15, 116, 306. 
Grenville, George, 161, 230, 232, 241, 252, 269, 336, 348. 
James, 302. 
Earl, 322, 334, 364. 
Griffin, Admiral, 1 19. 
Grossa-testa, Abbe de, 16, 77. 
Guernsey, Lord, 91. 

Haldane, ( lolonel, B k 

Ilallifax, Earl of, 18, 162, 204, 300, 309, 310, 336, 344, 
3 17, 9 W, $50, 352, 354, 300, 362, 368, 372. 




466 

Hampden, John, M. P., 231- 

Harcourt, Earl, 103, 152, 164, 165, 168, 169, 172, 147, 
188, 194, 203. 

Hardwicke, Philip, Lord Chancellor, 12, 68, 106, 113, 202^ 
233,252, 319, 325, 342, 359. 

Hartington, Lord, 109, 162, 222, 232, 238, 239. 

Haslang, Count de, 16, 78, 159. 

Hawke, Sir Edward, 306, 307, 309, 314, 321. 

Hawley, General, 176, 441. 

Hayter, Dr., Bp. of Norwich, 164, 168, 173, 187, 203, 443. 

Henley, Mr. Solicitor-General, afterwards Lord Northing- 
ton, and Chancellor, 6, 10, 14, 56, 58, 77, 381, 384. 

Henry, Prince, 67. 

Herbert, Mr., Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, 35. 

Herring, Archbishop of Canterbury, 68. 

Hillsborough, Lord, 160, 186, 217, 230, 241, 248, 268, 282, 
284, 333, 347. 

Hobart, Lord, 193,241. 

Holbourne, Admiral, 359. 

Holdernesse, Earl of, 100, 103, 109, 296, 319, 343, $59, 
370. 

Home, Earl of, 229. 

Honeywood, Mr., 60. 

Howe, Commodore, 3'63. 

Howe, Lady, 11, 17, 25, 27, 58, 66, 77, 142. 

Huntingdon, Earl of, 230. 

Hyndford, Earl of, 156. 

Jersey, Earl of, 241. 

Ilchester, Lord, 217. 

Inchiquin, Lord, 11, -17, 25, 27, 29, 58, 59, 66, 70, 77. 

Johnson, Bishop of Gloucester and Worcester, 193,202,203. 

Irwin, Lady, 66, 

£elsa], Mr., 68, 



467 

Kildare, Lord, 161. 
Knowles, Admiral, 119. 
KraygHl, Baron de, 16. 

Lamberti, Mors., 158. 

Lascary, Count de, 78, 108, 

Lascelies, Mr., 56, 72, 79. 

Lawrency, Chevalier de, 16. 

Lee, Dr., afterwards Sir George Lee, Civilian, 12, 14, 10, 36, 

38,39,47, 48,55,57,77,79,32, 107, 112,358. 
Lee, M. D.„ 87, 90. 
Lee, Lord Chief Justice, 241. 

Legge, Hon. Bilson, 239, 270, 333, 336, 350, 360. 
Leslie, Mr., 102. 
Levison, Mr., 120. 
Levy, Chevalier de, 16. 
Ligonier, Lord, 365. 
Lincoln, Earl of, 119, 129. 
Litchfield, Lord, 371. 
Loudon, Bishop of, Dr. Sherlock, 113. 
Long, Sir Robert, 219. 
Lossandiere, Mons. de, 77. 
Lovel, Mr., 68. 
Loudon, Lord, 359. 
Lucchesi, Comte de, 16. 
Lyttelton, Lord, 232, 252, 343, 330. 

Macky, Mr., 37 1. 

MaddoXj Isaac, Bishop of Worcester, 104, 231. 

Marlborough, Duke of, 162, 320, 363,365. 

Marmora, Coiftte de, 77. 

Maaham, Mr., 27, 29, 5 8, 06, 76. 

Methuen,Sir Paul, 14. 

Middlesex, Earl of, l, 2, 1 1, i/>, 16, is, io, 23, 25,28,29, 
33,35, 58, 11, 50, 52,59, 68, 00, 70, 71, 74, 76, 8S, 
101, 108, 130, 134, 156, 157 16^, 164, 166, 20S. 



468 



Middlesex, Lady, 10, II, 17, 25, 27, 33, 5S, 60, 66, 7 1, 77, 
88, 141,221. 

Milles, Colonel, 1 10, 1 12, 1 13. 

Milton, Lord, 217. 

Mirepoix, Marquis de, 16,77, 108, 112, 307, 339. 
Madame de, 10, 11. 

Montague, Mr., 101. 

Mordaumv General, 355, 356. 

Moreton, Lord, 258. 

Munchausen, Madame de, 58, 159, 190. 

Murray, Alexander, Esq., 78, 114, 130. 

Murray, William, Solicitor-General, afterwards Lord Mans- 
field, 115, 120, 126,129,156, 177,178, 188,193, 190, 
202, 214, 234, 252, 279,281, 291, 334, 350. 

Newcastle, Duke of, 104, 10S, 110, 112, 121, 143, 158, 
190, 191, 197, 202, 225,226, 231,232, 239, 242, 252, 
253, 259, 268, 273, 278, 279, 282, 284, 286, 290, 292, 
299, 300, 308, 319, 323, 336, 343, 346, 348, 350, 354. 
358, 360, 368, 369, 377, 382, 387, 445. 

Newton, Dr., Bishop of Bristol, 176. 

North, Lord, 1 1, 66, 74, 86. 

Northumberland, Earl, 230. 

Norwich, Bishop of. — See Hayter. 

Noyers, Des, 58. 

Nugent, Mr., 14, 33, 38, 77, 107, 248. 

Oglethorpe, General, 103. 

Onslow, Arthur, Esq., Speaker, 92, 93, 128, 157, 

Orange, Prince of, 113, 119. 

Orford, Lady, 272. 

Osborne, Sir Danvers, 15. 

Oswald, James, Esq., 71, 72, 76, 80, 83, 95, 96, 129,333, 

362, 366. 
Owen, Publisher of the Remembrancer, 18, 23, 130. 
Oxford, Earl of, 94, 95, 100. 
Oxford, Bishop of, Dr. Seeker, 66, 68, 69. 



469 

Parker, Lord, 386. 

Payne, Mrs., 66. 

Peiham, Hon. Henry, 2, 3, 14, 26, 75, 81, 89, 93, 96, \\5, 
117, 120, 134,137, 138, 142, 161, 165, 190, 195,199, 
204,210,215,217,221,222,227,231,233,241,244, 
273. 

Peiham, James, 180. 

Pembroke, Earl of, 15,28. 

Pennant, Sir Samuel, 12. 

Perron, Count de, 16, 77. 

Peterborough, Bishop of. — See Thomas. 

Pitt, William, afterwards Earl of Chatham, 46, 107, 152, 
219, 230, 232, 26:), 282, 284, 296, 301, 304, 323, 336, 
337, 338, 340, 346, 350, 352, 359, 361, 363, 364, 377, 
380, 384, 385. 

Pitt, Mr. Thomas, 64, 107. 

Plummer, Richard, Esq., 75. 

Potter, Thomas, Esq., 337. 

Poulett, Earl, 137, 139, 223, 254. 

Poulett, Mr. Vere. — See Vere. 

Proctor, Sir Wm. Beauchamp, 114. 

Prowse, Mr., 93. 

Queensbury, Duke of, 78. 

Ralph, James, Political Writer, 1, 2, 6, 8, 14, 18, 19, 25, 
27, 3'*, 35, 50, 59, 71, 73, 76, 77, 95, 106, 136, 208, 
2)0,215, 222,437. 

Ravensworth, Lord, 193, 197,202, 203. 

Regency Bill, 104. 

Rich, Miss, 29. 

Richecourt, Comte de, 112, 113. 

Richmond, Duke of, 162, 371, 454. 

Robinson, Colonel, 74, 102. 

Sir Thomas, 241, 248, 252, 296, 306, S1Q, 541, 
350, 352. 

Rohan, Chevalier de, 357. 



470 

Rolls, Master of, 60. — See Strange. 
Roxburgh, Duke of, 120. 
Rushout, Sir John, 14, 70, 98. 

Sackville, Lord George, 34-0, 363, 365. 

St. Fiorent, Baron de, 78, 108. 

St. Albans, Duke of, 1 1 1 . 

Sandwich, Earl of, 100, 109, 144, 162,235. 

Saxon, the Apothecary, 120. 

Scarborough, Earl of, 4, 88, 149. 

Lady, 87. 
Schaub, Sir Luke, 69. 
Scott, Mr., 102, 152, 164, 171. 
Scrope, Mr., 75, 120. 
Seeker, Bishop of Oxford, 66, 68, 69, 225. 
Selwyn, Mr., Senior, 7 04. 
Seymour, Francis, Esq., 219. 

Shaftesbury, Lord, S, 10, 83, 88, 95, 99, 216,250. 
Shannon, Lady, 29. 
Sharpe, Rev. Dr. Gregory, 25, 33, 34, 158, 252. 

William, 129. 
Sherlock, Dr. Thomas, Bishop of London, 113. 
Shirley, Mr., 272. 
Solicitor-General. — See Murray. 
Somerset, Duke of, 99. 
Stanhope, Sir William, 9. 

Earl, 95, 100, 105. 
Stanley, Mr., 37. 

Stone, Andrew, Esq., 104, 151, 164, 171, 177, 193, 202, 
208, 279, 291, 299, 317, 334. 

Dr. George, Primate of Ireland, 361. 
Strange, Lord, 241. 

Sir John, Master of the Rolls, 256. 
Sturt, Mr., 219. 



471 

Talbot, Lord, 7, 27, 72, 76, 78, 102, 106, 173, 203, 295, 

380. 
Temple, Earl, 11, 107, 24-1, 298, 309, 348, 352. 
Tessier, Chevalier de, 16. 

Thomas, Dr. John, Bishop of Peterborough, 178, 1S6. 
Thomson, Dr., M. D., 72, 120, 128, 129. 
Torrington, Lady, 29, 71, 76. 
Townshend, Hon. Charles, 15, 252, 382, 386. 

George, 83, 100, 371. 

Lord, 203. 
Trenchard, George, Esq., 137, 217. 
Trentham, Lord, 103, 109. 
Tucker, John, Esq., 75, 102, 115, 123, 348. 
Tyrawley, Lord, 16. 

Vandeput, Sir George, 24. 

Vane, Mr., afterwards Lord Barnard, 129, 165, 178, 190, 

204, 209, 215, 230, 231, 252. 
Vanneck, Mr., Jim., 70. 
Vaughan, Mr., 371. 
Vere, Mr., 137, 139, 141. 

Waldegrave, Lord, 166, 195, 299, 343, 357, 363, 365. 
Wales, Frederick, Prince of, 1, 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 18,24, 

29, 34, 36, 48, 50, 53, 61, 66, 76, 79, 80, 85, 94, 97, 

112, 391. 
Wales, Princess of, 87, 90, 105, 109, 1 11, 1 12, 1 13, 1 15, 

118,134, 141, 142, 166, 178, 186, 193,207,215,221, 

225, 226, 228, 236, 252, 257, 284, 2S6, 294, 299, 313, 

337. 
Wall, General, 16, 77. 
Waller, .Mr., 10, 73, 77. 
Walpole, Edward, 25, 28, 36. 
1! n 

Robert, 163, 3 m 






472 

Webb, Mr., 129. 

West, Mr., Secretary to the Treasury, 259, 285. 

Westmoreland, Lord, 77, 91, 93, 93, 96, 100. 

Whitehead, Paul, 72. 

Willes, Lord Chief Justice, 8, 9, 13, 14, 69. 

Williams, Sir Watkin, 9. 

Wilmot, Dr., 66, 87, 90. 

Winchelsea, Earl of, 119, 234, 352. 

Worcester, Bishop of. — See Maddox. 

Yarmouth, Lady, 190, 233. 
Yorke, Mr., 300. 



FINIS. 



Printed by S. Hamilton, Wejbridge. 



f-6j a ! 21 



